With recent speculation among the fanbase following a piece in the Washington Post by Andrew Golden that rumored free agent target Christian Walker could be "out of the Nationals' price range," let's take a look at a couple of the other names mentioned in the article as potential options.
Paul Goldschmidt
While he is not what he used to be, there is no doubt that Paul Goldschmidt can still be at least a serviceable everyday player in the MLB. 2022 was probably the final season in which we will see him as a high-level bat in the majors, as he won the NL MVP, Silver Slugger, and was named an All-Star as well, all while accounting for a .981 OPS with 35 homers and 115 RBIs.
However, 2023 and 2024 have seen sharp declines in his production, with 2024 producing the lowest splits of his entire career. With Goldschmidt now 37-years-old, could this be his swan song in the MLB? It certainly seems like the end is near for him, but perhaps the Nationals' youth will be able to coax one more throwback season out of the veteran first baseman.
Carlos Santana
This is one that we've written about before, and it would be a signing similar to that of Goldschmidt, in that he would likely be signed on a 1-year deal. Carlos Santana, unlike Goldschmidt, continues to defy father time. He is going to be 39-years-old shortly after Opening Day in 2025, but he is coming off another solid season in 2024, accounting for a .749 OPS to go along with 23 homers and 71 RBIs.
Around the league, he is very well-regarded in terms of being a great presence in the clubhouse, and surely would be able to provide much needed leadership and guidance to a young Nationals team. Whether or not he would want to sign with a team that might not be destined for the playoffs remains to be seen, as he might want to chase a World Series with a legitimate contender.
Between Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana, the Nationals could pursue a pair of options that are both in the twilight of their careers, while saving a bit of money by not giving out a longer-term deal to a free agent.
However, at some point, the Nats' ownership group is going to have to cough up some legitimate money if they hope to build a watchable team that the fanbase will be excited about. While I am still optimistic that the team will make some signings, there needs to be legitimate efforts made by the front office in order to get the fans excited for 2025, and it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Who do you think will be the Opening Day first baseman for the Nationals in 2025? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.