The Nationals are beginning their offseason with a vision fully ahead on the future. The team may be relying on their young prospects to carry the load but no team is complete without a couple veterans. With a relatively flexible payroll, they could look to make a splash or two in free agency. Rumors run thin for now, but they will ramp up. Given team needs, these are some longshot signings that the team could at least explore completing in the coming months.
Pete Alonso (1B)
Alonso opted out of his contract, and we know what the true goal is. Scott Boras is looking to get him his well-earned long-term haul from the Mets. However, we know that Boras can be a gambler and that could have Alonso end up somewhere unexpected. The Nationals are not big spenders but they could at least take a peak at Alonso. If the team is willing to pay the price, he is certainly a massive upgrade over Luis Garcia Jr and any prospects that are not looking near.
JT Realmuto (C)
The biggest weakness, outside of pitching, has been with catching. Keibert Ruiz has not been playing anywhere near standard to begin the season and then he went down with injury. Riley Adams filled in but a -14.9 offensive rating is not what this team is looking for. The team only has one catcher in the Top 20 of the pipeline (Caleb Lomavita), but he is not due up until 2027. This could be one of the more realistic signings, but will still be very difficult to pull off.
Dylan Cease (SP)
This name has been a star at the trade deadline over multiple seasons. He has not gotten dealt, but he may end up with a new team. Cease was just average in 2025, but he is just 29 years old and does have a high ceiling. Cease hit a 2.70 ERA in 2022 and a 3.47 ERA in 2024. He has not had a WAR worse than 3.4 since 2020. The Nationals need to add starting pitching and Cease could be a prime candidate.
Alex Bregman (3B)
He is the longshot of all longshots. Of all impending free agents, Bregman has the highest AAV of them all at $40 Million. Bregman is not yet available, but he is expected to opt-out in search of a longer contract. Let's be honest, the Nationals will almost definitely not make this signing, but anything is possible. If negotiations in the market falter like they did with Pete Alonso and the Mets, the Nationals could use a veteran at 3rd base. The bigger conversation here is 3rd base. Brady House did not impress all that much in his first season. New management could decide to scrap it and go elsewhere.
Max Scherzer (SP)
A comeback you say? Scherzer is on the other side of age 40. If he is smart, he should find a final resting spot. Where better than his old hometown? Given a struggling starting lineup, Scherzer may not have value better anywhere other than Washington. I do not think many would hate a final send off, but maybe I am wrong? Let me know on X - @jetbets17