The Washington Nationals are making another big move in reshaping their front office, bringing in Ani Kilambi as their new general manager. At just 31, Kilambi becomes one of the youngest GMs in baseball - but don’t let the age fool you. He’s already built a strong reputation as a forward-thinking executive with a deep background in analytics and player development.
Kilambi arrives in D.C. after serving as assistant GM with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he led the club’s research and development department under Dave Dombrowski. That role gave him a front-row seat to one of the most aggressive front offices in the league - one that’s balanced old-school scouting with cutting-edge data. Now, Kilambi will bring that experience to a Nationals team in the middle of a major organizational reset.
This hire continues a trend for Washington, which is clearly leaning into youth and innovation at the top. Kilambi will be working alongside Paul Toboni, the 35-year-old president of baseball operations who came over from the Red Sox system earlier this year. Toboni, like Kilambi, has a strong background in player evaluation and development - and together, they represent a clear shift in philosophy for a franchise that’s looking to build from the ground up.
The Nationals parted ways with longtime GM Mike Rizzo back in July, ending a tenure that included a World Series title in 2019 but also some tough years since. Mike DeBartolo had been filling the GM role on an interim basis, but the front office now has its long-term structure in place.
There’s no sugarcoating where the Nationals are right now. They wrapped up the 2025 season with a 66-96 record, finishing at the bottom of the NL East.
It’s a young roster with some intriguing pieces, but also plenty of uncertainty. And the front office isn’t standing pat - reports indicate that both starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams are on the trade block this winter.
That’s a sign that Kilambi and Toboni are willing to make bold moves to reshape the roster.
This isn’t just about rebuilding - it’s about reimagining how the Nationals operate from top to bottom. With a new leadership team in place and a willingness to explore every option, Washington is signaling that it’s ready to turn the page and start constructing the next competitive chapter. It won’t happen overnight, but the foundation is being laid - and Kilambi will be right at the center of it.