6 days ago
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MacKenzie Gore resolution
It's been quiet on the Gore front since the Winter Meetings wrapped up earlier this month and president of baseball operations Paul Toboni transparent about a wide array of interest in the 26-year-old pitcher.
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The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are among the long list of ties who have been tied to Gore at points through the offseason while reportedly over half the league had inquired about the Nationals' starter during the week of Winter Meetings. With the cloud hanging over the organization's head, coupled with the lack of signature offseason moves, whether the Nationals opt to capitalize on his value or risk a midseason trade with a possibly different asking price has remained a talking point, but Toboni has understood why the interest has remained.
“He’s really good and so it doesn’t surprise me that teams are reaching out on him. I had a conversation with MacKenzie the other day and I said hey, before we really even hop into this, this is going to be a thing. Teams are going to call about you because you’re really good,” new Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said on Baseball Tonight earlier this month.
Whether speculation picks back up to start the new year remains worth tracking with an offseason move still viewed as a possibility.
What is the answer at first base?
After turning to Nathaniel Lowe to start 2025, the Nationals had to turn elsewhere to end the season with first base a question mark heading into year one under new leaderships. Toboni pointed to Luis Garcia as a candidate after getting reps there to end the 2025 season, but that hasn't come to fruition as hoped in winter league. The Nationals were tied to Pete Alonso before officially inking with the nearby Baltimore Orioles, putting the club back at square one with a stop gap now a realistic possibility. Luis Arraez (Padres), Wilmer Flores (Giants) and Ty France (Blue Jays) all remain available free agent signings if Toboni and company opt to go outside the organization like it appears.
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Who is next key piece as part of Paul Toboni's vision?
The prior front office made it clear James Wood wouldn't be up for trade discussions ahead of the deadline as he enters 2026 as the Nationals' star. The 23-year-old belted 31 home runs and 94 RBIs in his first season in the MLB as he and infielder CJ Abrams enjoyed strong first halves of the 2025 season.
Cade Cavalli has battled injuries over the last few years including Tommy John surgery that shut him down for the 2023 season but ultimately returned in August where he posted a 4.25 ERA over ten starts while flashing his potential along the way. Dylan Crews, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season but offers plenty of upside as the former top amateur player nationally.
Daylen Lile finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting after a strong 2025 season, becoming the first Nationals player to receive votes for the award in six years and the first to receive votes for any award in four years. While strikeouts are an area he can improve after striking out in nearly 16% of his at bats in 2025, he proved himself as a future star after hitting .319 while adding 11 triples in 84 games, matching Denard Span's record for the most in a season by a National. After starting 52 games in right field, the one-time sleeper now looks to be a key part of the future Nationals' outfield in 2026 and beyond.
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Will catcher Harry Ford, who was acquired by the Seattle Mariners, emerge as the piece to watch in 2026? Multiple outlets have pointed to the Atlanta, GA native as a key piece in the future of the organization with president of baseball operations Paul Toboni high on his potential and ESPN bullish on the offseason acquisition.
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