It's time to dive back into the first base picture this offseason. The Washington Nationals, now under the guidance of new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, have a gap to fill on the right side of the infield this offseason. Last week, we looked at some potential options from around the league and beyond in free agency. Free agency isn't the only lane that can be taken to find a suitor, though.
Trades
There's a couple decent ways to evaluate trade candidates: looking at minor leaguers who have been successful at the higher levels and are blocked at their position, or looking at major leaguers who are getting close to free agency. Obviously, there's risk to both, as in any trade--just look at how Nathaniel Lowe panned out (though his immediate rebound with the Red Sox says more about the Nationals coaching staff than it does about Lowe himself).
One guy worth a look is Alec Bohm. Bohm, who came up as a third baseman but spent time at first base this year while Bryce Harper was injured, has had a tenuous up-and-down relationship with Philadelphia, but has ultimately managed to be a slightly-above-league-average hitter over all of the last three seasons. Bohm's not an exciting bat, and he hits free agency after the 2026 campaign, but it'd likely be a low-cost addition if the Phillies decide they want to give Otto Kemp more run on the infield going forward. For what it's worth--this isn't the first time we've discussed Bohm as a trade option.
Tigers infielder Jace Jung could be worth a look. Jung was ranked MLB's No. 60 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline as recently as last year, but it's been difficult for the team to find playing time for him on the big league roster with a crowded infield mix. Still, in 110 games at Triple-A Toledo, Jung has put up excellent numbers with an 84th percentile xwOBA and 123 wRC+ (thanks to Prospect Savant for these numbers). Jung's never played first base as a professional, but it's possible an acquisition could lead to someone sliding over.
Also of interest might be Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long. Long, who will be 24 next season, might have a difficult path to playing time in the majors beyond a short-side platoon role with Michael Busch starting against right-handed pitchers and Seiya Suzuki likely to spend the majority of his time at DH if the Cubs can help it. Long hit 20 home runs in 140 games at Triple-A Iowa this year, posting a .404 OBP, and is ranked as the Cubs' no. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline. It's not inconceivable to think the Cubs will simply hang onto him, but Long's raw power is tantalizing for a team that's been defined by its struggle to find a long-term power stroke over the last few years.
We have first basemen at home
The Nationals could also stick with internal options at first base. As time has gone on, more options already present in the organization have revealed themselves. One recent development has been Luis García Jr., who at one point earlier this year I identified as a trade candidate. Since then, though, García has made two starts at first base, about 60 or so feet away from his native second base position. After his first start there, García said he felt really good about how it went. It certainly doesn't hurt that while starting at second base on Friday, Lui put up his first career three-homer game to break a streak of three hitless starts.
Andrés Chaparro is someone that still needs to be considered. He's had limited major league success so far, but he's also just had limited major league playing time in general. The Nationals have nothing to lose by giving him more run at the position, especially after going out of their way to trade for him at the 2024 deadline. Chaparro's 151 wRC+ in Triple-A this year ranks 4th among all batters with at least 200 plate appearances at the level, and while that's yet to translate at the major league level, a full season's worth of run will give the Nationals a true idea as to how sustainable his production is.
There's also Yohandy "Yoyo" Morales. Drafted as a third baseman 40th overall in 2023, Morales struggled with thumb injuries all through his first couple professional years and tried to finally settle in this year. He ran into his first real struggles at the plate at Triple-A, only managing a 95 wRC+ in 575 plate appearances with a 19th percentile strikeout rate and significant difficulty pulling the ball in the air. His exit velocities and hard hit rates looked good but an average launch angle of six degrees and .175 expected batting average against four-seam fastballs is cause for concern. He'll still be in his early 20s next year, though, and the Nationals are in no rush to promote him if he's not ready.
Who do you think the Nationals might look at trading for? Is there anyone already in the organization or in free agency this year the team should go after? Let me know on Twitter @TheOttSpot.