The Washington Nationals’ offseason finally kicked into gear on Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. EST, when eligible players hit free agency just after the 2026 World Series wrapped up Wednesday night.
That makes this a pivotal winter for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and his front office, who now have to sort through a roster that could look very different by the time the 2027 campaign arrives. The obvious complication hanging over everything is the looming labor lockout. The current collective bargaining agreement runs out on Dec. 1, and talks between the owners, the players and the players association could drag on long enough that the 2027 season might not be played at all.
For now, though, the focus stays on baseball as scheduled in 2027, and that puts Toboni squarely on the clock.
One of the first orders of business is figuring out which free agents the Nationals want to chase. Washington may have money to spend with some expensive contracts coming off the books, and while plenty of fans will want proof before believing it, there’s a real possibility the club could be in the market for a significant arm or two. That help could come either in the bullpen or the rotation, and adding to both groups sounds like a necessity.
Toboni has already made it clear there’s a balancing act here: the Nationals have to decide whether to hand out a big contract or two while still making room for their internal talent to grow. That means the front office has to be sharp with its evaluations, because any outside addition needs to matter.
And if history is any guide, Toboni isn’t likely to shy away from the trade market either.
CJ Abrams is going to draw attention all winter, and the Nationals are reportedly prepared to listen to offers again. But he isn’t the only name that could surface.
Jacob Young, coming off a career-best year at the plate, looks like a logical candidate to be shopped, especially with Washington still committed to former No. 2 overall pick Dylan Crews. Selling high on Young could make sense for the Nationals this offseason.
There are prospects who could be available as well. Trey Lipscomb, Andrew Pinckney and even top 30 prospect Sam Petersen may end up being discussed because of the logjam in both the outfield and the infield. Washington could even use some of its best minor leaguers to land a star-level big leaguer if the right deal comes along.
As the roster starts to take shape, a handful of players appear to be firmly in line for Opening Day unless a blockbuster trade involving Abrams changes the picture. James Wood, Daylen Lile, Cade Cavalli, Connelly Early, Andrew Alvarez, Keibert Ruiz, Andres Chaparro, Crews and Abrams all look locked in.
Beyond that group, the Nationals still have a lot to sort through. Top prospect Seaver King looks poised to play a role.
Brady House and Yohandy Morales are set to compete for the third base job. Nasim Nunez should at least have a bench spot.
Harry Ford appears to be the backup catcher. And in the bullpen, Erik Tolman, Jack Sinclair and Yovanny Cruz all seem to be in position to claim relief roles.
All of that makes the club’s internal evaluation process just as important as anything it does on the open market or in trade talks. The Nationals have to know exactly what they have before deciding what else they need.
With the offseason officially underway, Washington has a busy few months ahead.
In Other News...
Nationals Have 3 Young Pieces Who Could Change The Next Core
Washington spent much of the season sorting through the familiar growing pains of a club trying to build around a new wave of talent, and the attention naturally followed the young names already on the big league radar. Cade Cavalli, CJ Abrams and James Wood all offered reasons for optimism in their own ways, even if Wood's late-season injury complicated the view of how quickly the next core might take shape.
Just as important for the Nationals, though, are the younger players still pushing their way into the picture. Abimelec Ortiz showed early power even with a modest batting average, Connelly Early flashed promise before injury cut into his work, and Yovanny Cruz impressed with strikeout ability while getting looks in late-game situations. If Washington is going to keep moving from talk of a future core to something more concrete, those are the kinds of players who could help determine how quickly that timeline starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
James Wood Still Has Two Big Issues The Nationals Need Fixed
James Wood gave the Nationals plenty to build around in 2026, slugging more than 30 home runs for a second straight season and spending much of the year near the top of the National League in several offensive categories. Even with that kind of star-level production, the bigger picture was not quite as clean as the raw power numbers suggested, because his bat cooled after the break and the second-half dip echoed what happened the year before.
Wood also spent most of the season in right field, a move that gave Washington a clearer idea of where he might fit defensively going forward. The problem is that the results there were not encouraging, with his numbers in right grading out poorly, so the Nationals are still left trying to get more out of both sides of his game heading into next season. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Are Still Paying For One Trade In Their Bullpen Depth
The Nationals added another arm to the bullpen mix by claiming right-hander Braxton Roxby off waivers from the Giants, a move that reflects how actively the club is still sorting through depth this time of year. Roxby reached the majors with San Francisco in 2026 and still has three minor league option years left, giving Washington some flexibility if it wants to keep him bouncing between the big league staff and Triple-A.
To make room, the Nationals designated right-hander Zak Kent for assignment, a roster squeeze that puts his future in the organization on hold for now. Kent has already pitched in two major league seasons, but he will be out of minor league options next year, which adds another layer to the decision if he clears waivers and has a chance to choose free agency. [Read more 🡒]