The Major League Baseball offseason is often filled with uncertainty. Players sign as free agents with unexpected teams, and unexpected trades happen. For fans, the offseason can be a source of significant heartbreak, regardless of how their favorite team performed during the season. With some of the most prominent Nationals in trade rumors, from MacKenzie Gore to CJ Abrams, who were key players on the Nationals, we don't know precisely what the team will look like next year. The Nationals have lacked the star power of the big spending teams ever since they started dumping their big names--from not re-signing Bryce Harper to trading Juan Soto, as well as Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. The Nationals have decisions at their hand on what to do about offseason trades. Suppose the new President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni, wants to overhaul their roster by releasing many of their key players. In that case, Nationals fans should support his decisions and have faith in him. What we can expect is that the Nationals will keep James Wood.
James Wood is the Nationals' future. In 2025, he hit 31 home runs, driving in 94 runs, and posted a somewhat respectable .256 batting average, earning him a National League outfield Silver Slugger finalist selection. He is the Nationals' future, and while he is under team control, at least for the foreseeable future, the team needs to hang on to him.
While many of the Nationals players are younger, and so is James Wood for that matter, the Nationals must build around him. This offseason, the Nationals need to focus on acquiring one or two veteran players, who may or may not be expensive, and have a history of success, such as Chris Taylor. Taylor, who was a key utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, saw what winning baseball looks like and came up with many big home runs. He is a player who can play at every position except pitcher and catcher, and having that positional flexibility could be great for the Nationals, depending on which players are going through cold streaks. He is a quiet leader and someone who can mentor the young stars of the Nationals.
While Chris Taylor would be great for the Nationals for having a veteran presence, someone James Wood, Dylan Crews, and more can learn from, they need an established star veteran player on the team. Someone like Alex Bregman has World Series rings. He is a great leader and an all-star caliber player who has averaged 28 home runs per 162 games played. Bregman would be great to bring over on a one or two-year deal, and someone who won't break the bank, but will be someone to sign, showing that the Nationals want to try to be competitive and put out a good product.
The Nationals need a more veteran presence on the team, ideally a player or two who have won in the past or have a history of success. Currently, mentorship for the younger players is what's most important.