3 splashy free agent signings who could jump-start the new era of the Nationals

The Washington Nationals have been rebuilding for years, but that phase needs to end soon. The team hasn’t spent significantly since re-signing Stephen Strasburg after the 2019 World Series, and the biggest deal they’ve handed out since then was $15 million to Nelson Cruz. That’s not going to cut it anymore.

Now, for the first time in a while, there’s a sense that things are changing. The Nationals moved on from longtime manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo during the 2025 season. In their place, the team brought in a completely new leadership group, led by 35-year-old Paul Toboni as president of baseball operations and 33-year-old Blake Butera as manager.

Toboni is the youngest POBO in the league, and Butera is the youngest manager in Major League Baseball. Together, they take over a roster that just finished 66-96 and represents one of the youngest in baseball. A full-on youth movement is underway in the nation’s capital, but that alone won’t be enough.

The new-look Nationals need to be relevant again, and making a splash this offseason would help. It’s time for the Lerner family to spend again to energize the team and the fanbase. The Nationals need an acquisition that causes a stir to accelerate the rebuild and give their young core a star to build around.

Here are three players who could do exactly that.

Dylan Cease

The Nationals rotation finished with a 5.18 ERA last year, one of the worst in baseball. They need a proven arm to anchor the staff, and Dylan Cease offers one of the best available. He’s an ace.

Cease, 29, ranks among the most durable and consistent starters in the league over the past five seasons. He has made at least 32 starts in each of the last five seasons and developed a reputation for his high strikeout rate, electric fastball and sharp slider.

In 2022, he finished second in AL Cy Young voting with a 2.20 ERA and 227 strikeouts across 184 innings. Two years later, he placed fourth in the NL Cy Young race during his first season with San Diego and posted the best WHIP of his career at 1.07. That same year, Cease threw a no-hitter against the Nationals in July, showing firsthand just how dominant he can be.

Even though 2025 marked a down year for Cease with a 4.55 ERA, the underlying numbers still backed him up. He struck out 215 batters in 168 innings and had a whiff rate in the 95th percentile. He’s been a workhorse and remains one of the most talented pitchers in the league. The Padres did extend him a qualifying offer, so any team that signs him would have to forfeit a draft pick.

The Nationals haven’t signed a free-agent starter like this since Max Scherzer. Cease is projected to land a deal worth around seven years and $189 million. That’s the price for a front-line arm, and if Washington wants to be taken seriously, it’s the kind of deal they must consider.

Pete Alonso

The Nationals have lacked a steady presence at first base since Ryan Zimmerman retired. Pete Alonso, known as “The Polar Bear,” could be the answer.

Alonso, 30, qualifies as one of the most productive and feared hitters in baseball since debuting in 2019. That year, he launched 53 home runs to set a new rookie record and took home NL Rookie of the Year. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Alonso’s raw size and strength contribute to his powerful presence at the plate. Since his debut, he has made five All-Star teams, won two Home Run Derbies, and led the league in RBIs multiple times.

He’s spent his entire career with the Mets and recently became their all-time home run leader, passing legends like Darryl Strawberry and David Wright. In 2025, he played all 162 games and hit .272 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and an .871 OPS. He also added 41 doubles and has not missed a game in two seasons.

Signing with Washington would mean Alonso is turning to a division rival, adding even more intrigue to a potential deal. He’s already been linked to the Nationals as a possible landing spot in free agency. Alonso is expected to command something close to $210 million over seven years. That’s a major investment, but it’s the kind of move that could reshape the Nationals lineup overnight. Alonso would fill a long-standing void at first base and bring instant credibility, leadership and power to the middle of the order.

Munetaka Murakami

Instead of signing a current MLB star, the Nationals could look overseas for their splash. Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old left-handed slugger from the Yakult Swallows, was just posted and is now officially a free agent.

Murakami stands as one of the most accomplished hitters in NPB history for his age. He debuted in Japan’s top league at just 18 and quickly became a sensation. In 2022, he set the single-season Japanese home run record with 56 and won the Triple Crown. He’s a two-time MVP and has been described as “Japan’s Aaron Judge.”

In eight seasons with the Swallows, Murakami slashed .270/.394/.557 and crushed 246 home runs. He’s played both third and first base, though most scouts believe he’ll eventually settle at first or DH in the majors. For the Nationals, who have a glaring need at first base, that would be a natural fit.

Last offseason, Washington signed right-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara to a modest two-year, $3.5 million deal, marking their first-ever addition from Japan. Murakami would be a much bigger swing. He’s expected to command a contract in the $160 to $220 million range, plus a posting fee to the Swallows. That’s a major commitment, but at just 25 years old, Murakami could be a long-term cornerstone for a young Nationals team.