The Washington Nationals are at an interesting point in the franchise's timeline. Six years removed from a World Series victory, the Nats find themselves in the basement of the Major Leagues. From 2012-2019, Washington competed for an NL East title each season. Nowadays, the Nationals are consistently battling for last place in the division.
The 2025 season was a letdown due to unrealistic expectations set by former President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo, which ultimately led to his firing. Paul Toboni has been hired as his replacement and will likely install a complete rebuild of the organization. Besides fundamental changes in the organization, what are two difficult decisions the Nats have to make this offseason?
What is the goal of Free Agency?
There are multiple layers to the question of "What is the goal of Free Agency?" In past years, wasn't Rizzo denied the funds needed to sign marquee free agents? How can Nats fans be assured that Toboni will have more or less freedom in the offseason? It's hard to determine what flexibility Toboni will receive this offseason. It would be shocking to see the Nats pursue the top free agents of the offseason. It shouldn't be expected of Nats fans to acquire Pete Alonso this offseason; it's just not realistic. So what should we expect?
That's the excitement of being a Washington Nationals fan: you have zero idea what to expect. Toboni was hired from the Boston Red Sox, who have built their roster through development, trades, and a few free agent signings. Through critical roster decisions, the Red Sox made the playoffs in the 2025 season. It wasn't built overnight in Boston, so don't anticipate the Nats to make the playoffs in 2026.
For this offseason, the Nats won't break the bank in free agency; it doesn't make sense. The core of players is yet to be determined, and it wouldn't be sensible to add a large contract to the situation. The goal of the Nats' free agency should be to supplement their young talent with a competent veteran presence.
Where does the power come from?
Since the World Series victory in 2019, the Nats have been in the bottom ranks of the Major Leagues in home runs. The 2025 season was no different in Washington, hitting just 161 home runs, ranking 24th in the MLB. James Wood led the Nats with 31 home runs, but 24 of those came in the first half of the season. Josh Bell was the only other hitter with over 20 home runs, with 22. Six of Bell's 22 homers came in the Nats' final 30 games of the season.
Washington had just six qualified batters who hit ten or more home runs, and one was traded in August (Nathaniel Lowe). The lack of power in Washington's lineup is problematic. The Nats do have answers in-house to their problem, and the key is a new coaching staff.
Next season, the Nats should hit more home runs as young players gain experience in the Majors. Wood should hit 35 home runs in 2026 after an offseason of adjustments at the plate. Dylan Crews is a 15-home run player at minimum if healthy all season. CJ Abrams has shown he can hit 20 homers in a season. Daylen Lile took the league by storm and could contribute 10 home runs in 2026. Brady House can tap into his light tower power potential and hit at least 10 home runs. Luis Garcia Jr. has also proven he's suitable for 15 home runs.
Players like Riley Adams and Drew Millas have also shown flashes of power in limited action. The Nats have options in-house that could develop into real power threats. The Nats weren't ready to do much of anything in 2025, much less hit home runs. With a brand-new coaching staff, someone on the roster could reach their untapped potential. The last few seasons of Darnell Coles as hitting coach have been abysmal. The Nats' hitters' approach has been questionable at best and has long been overdue for a change.