Could these Orioles move down the Beltway to play for the Nationals in 2025?

The Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo have a decent list of needs heading into the 2025 offseason. Funny enough, one of their best sources for players is up north on the Beltway in Baltimore. The Orioles have plenty of pending free agents to fit the Nationals’ needs in 2025 and beyond.

RHP Corbin Burnes: The Nationals have desperately needed a true #1 starter since the team sent Max Scherzer to Los Angeles in 2021, and Corbin Burnes could be a huge signing for the Nationals. Burnes is heading into his age 30 season and could be the ace of the Nats for the next 5+ seasons. In 32 starts with Baltimore, Burnes pitched to a 2.92 ERA with 181 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. Burnes would immediately be inserted into the ace role and lead a predominantly young pitching staff. With the futures of Josiah Gray and Mackenzie Gore far from assumable, adding Burnes makes a lot of sense for Mike Rizzo.

OF/DH Anthony Santander: With the Orioles rumored to be out of the picture for their all-star outfielder, the Nationals should go all in on Anthony Santander. Many fans want Juan Soto back in DC, but Santander is a much cheaper option. Santander also becomes an option for the first base position, which is another position the Nationals need to fill. Santander is a switch hitter, so whether a right or left-handed pitcher is on the mound, Santander could hit in the cleanup spot daily. With only a .235 average in 2024, Santander still smashed 44 homers and 102 RBI. Santander is a productive hitter from both sides of the plate, and the Nationals need power, as they ranked 29th in home runs this season.

1B Ryan O’Hearn: This move is highly unlikely, but in the circumstance that the Orioles decline O’Hearn’s club option, he would be a great fit in DC. Ryan O’Hearn would be the cheapest option for Mike Rizzo looking at the Orioles staff. O’Hearn can play 1st base, which once again is the #1 need for the Nationals moving forward. O’Hearn is a tremendous fielder, and a great left-handed bat. In 142 games, O’Hearn hit 15 homers and 59 RBI, with a .264 average. O’Hearn’s strikeout numbers are also very low, as in 443 at bats, O’Hearn struck out only 69 times. Again, this is an unlikely situation assuming the Orioles pick up his 2025 club option.

LHP Danny Coulombe: Of anyone on the Orioles, I think Mike Rizzo is most likely to sign LHP Danny Coulombe. Rizzo has proven to love his veteran 1-year-deal relievers, and Coulombe fits that stereotype perfectly. The Nats are in big need of relievers, especially left-handed ones. Coulombe has been an All-star caliber pitcher over the last few seasons, pitching to a sub 3 ERA. Coulombe is also a veteran presence in a soon-to-be young bullpen.

In all honesty, it makes sense for some of these pending Orioles free agents to explore the Nationals as their next team. Adding some of these players would be huge for the Nats lineup or pitching staff, and they wouldn’t have that far of a move from Baltimore to DC.