78 days ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers took off from Toronto with their third Commissioner’s Trophy of the last six seasons. In that same amount of time, the Washington Nationals have averaged just over 96 losses every year when discounting the COVID-shortened 2020. Even with a new regime put in place following the 2025 regular season, the age-old question among Nationals fans persisted once again: what does a successful offseason look like for this team?
Back in early October, I outlined my vision for readers of The Nats Report. Now that we are far enough into the offseason to have a good idea of the direction that the new front office is taking things, here is how I would finish the job entering a new era of Nationals baseball.
1. Trade or Extend MacKenzie Gore
MacKenzie Gore, one of the centerpieces of the 2022 Juan Soto blockbuster trade, has been arguably the biggest question mark of Paul Toboni’s first offseason in charge. The southpaw has two years left of team control, and is due $5.6 million next season after he and the Nationals avoided arbitration. Since Washington’s new manager, Blake Butera, implied at December’s Winter Meetings that this year is more about player development and setting up the new team culture rather than pushing for the postseason, that leaves just 2027 with Gore under contract to attempt a run at October.
Under normal circumstances, I would be okay with either waiting until the trade deadline or next offseason. However, due to the potential for a lockout following the 2026 season, there is no guarantee that the Nationals even get the chance to play a single inning the following year, potentially changing his value in ways that are hard to predict. Between this and the increase in pitcher injuries over the decade, it hardly makes any sense to let Gore take the mound in a Curly W this season without an extension that guarantees he will be here when the team can compete. While I would prefer to keep him, this offseason’s pitching market has indicated that there could be a strong return on the table. If an offer is more than “good enough”, you have to take it and let the new regime’s player development system do its thing.
2. Hit the Free Agent Market for at Least One Prominent Veteran
As of right now, Washington’s payroll is $25 million lower than it was on last year’s Opening Day, according to spotrac.com. They are also the second youngest team in baseball, with an average age of 26.5. Trevor Williams, Julian Fernandez, and Foster Griffin are the only players who’s age starts with a three. This leaves a massive void of veteran leadership in a clubhouse that now is led into battle by a first-time manager who was born three months after one of his players.
At this point in the offseason, Toboni needs to just pick up veterans to bolster the lineup and starting rotation. The biggest free agents are either too expensive or off the board, so in my book, it is time to do what the previous regime did: go get veterans that could be traded in July for young talent if needed. This plan is a conservative option, only slightly exceeding the 2025 payroll so that we know it is a number that probably could be met.
On the pitching front, Toboni should bring in Max Scherzer for a final run. After spending a year with the American League champion Blue Jays for $15.5 million, Washington could probably get the 41-year-old for around 10-12, seeing as they also already owe him 15 annually through 2028 for his services from 2015-21. Scherzer would get to retire in the Curly W, and the young locker room would get much-valued leadership and guidance from a franchise legend who could also serve as the enforcer as the young coaching staff settles in.
Hitting wise, Washington’s first target should undoubtedly be J.T. Realmuto. This option likely would push the Nationals slightly over last year’s payroll if it is in addition to Scherzer, but this move makes too much sense to not include. Realmuto can catch, play first base, or even be a DH if need be. With uncertainty still surrounding Keibert Ruiz’s health and whether Harry Ford will be ready come Opening Day, getting a veteran bat and glove like Realmuto’s could help this team develop exponentially quicker. I would offer him a one-year, $16 million deal with a mutual option for 2027.
3. Acquire a Bullpen Arm (or Two)
If Opening Day was tomorrow, the Washington Nationals’ bullpen would most likely be some combination of these names: Cole Henry, Clayton Beeter, Konnor Pilkington, Paxton Schultz, Jackson Rutledge, Trevor Williams, Orlando Ribalta, and PJ Poulin. Even before Jose A. Ferrer was dealt to Seattle, this was a thin group. Now, it simply needs some help. There are plenty of low-risk ways to improve this group through the trade market, but for me, they all come back to acquiring right-hander Victor Vodnik from the Rockies. Only making $820,000 this season, Vodnik has a career 4.06 ERA, and pitched to a career-best 3.02 over 50.2 innings in 2025. This move would add a young and controllable quality arm, and likely would not cost Washington too much. Surely, a decent arm can also be acquired through free agency if getting another would take too much away from the farm system.
Ultimately, the Nationals’ offseason to date has been quieter than most expected. Given that the new television deal has been the biggest news of the winter, it is safe to say my plan in October was a little extreme. There are still plenty of smart ways to make noise before camp opens next month and make this team better in the long run, even if it doesn’t make them a 90-win team this year. Just having quality veteran leadership to supplement this coaching staff can make a world of difference as the team looks to set up for the next era of dominance in Nationals baseball.