The Washington Nationals are in the very early stages of perhaps their most pivotal offseason of the current decade. After an abysmal 2025 season that saw multiple members of the organization lose their jobs, the 2019 World Series Champions find themselves at a crossroads.
New President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni, has a ton of work to do in order to restore the organization to its former glory, and the tough decisions at the top have already begun. Caught up in the midst of the Nationals relieving over 50 individuals of their jobs following the introduction of Toboni as the team's new lead man, a familiar face may have survived the fracas.
While one familiar face in interim manager Miguel Cairo will have an opportunity to interview and be involved in the process while Toboni searches for a new manager, it appears as if another manager within the organization will also get a chance to potentially stick around as well.
It is well known that the Nationals have struggled with player development over the latter part of the last decade, but the manager of the AAA Rochester Red Wings and former Washington National Matt LeCroy, is not one to blame. Dubbed the "Call-Up King" by those around the organization, LeCroy has been a fan favorite for a long time now.
His time as a player with the Nationals was not exactly memorable, but the impact he has made on Nationals prospects like Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile, James Wood, and others has been discussed at lengths from those in and around the organization. While Barry Svrluga announced the news on X last week, as of now it is unclear what exactly his role will be.
Toboni has been very careful to only let a select few members stick around while he begins to breathe new life in the organization, but it is clear by him offering LeCroy an opportunity to stay that he views him as a valuable piece of the team's minor league system. Besides LeCroy, the only other notable name that has been offered a chance to stick around was interim GM Mike DeBartolo, whose role was also not yet specified.
LeCroy getting the opportunity to stick around would at least provide a little bit of stability at the team's highest level of the minor leagues, and perhaps we see him move around in the organization or potentially even move into the front office down the line. The bottom line is, LeCroy is a valuable presence in the Nationals organization, and Toboni clearly recognizes that.
Do you want Matt LeCroy to stick around? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.