Longtime first baseman named perfect candidate for Washington Nationals in free agency

The Washington Nationals enter the offseason with a longer list of questions than many had hoped with new manager Blake Butera roughly one month into his new role, now looking to restock a franchise searching for its first winning season in five years.

With MLB winter meetings underway and teams looking to begin ramping up offseason acquisitions and trades, MLB.com previewed all 30 teams to analyze one move that can upgrade the roster. For Washington? First baseman Ryan O’Hearn was named as the perfect candidate for the Nationals, days after The Athletic also mentioned him as the Black Friday free agent deal for Washington.

“Washington has graduated a number of position players through its system over the past two years, but first base remains a need. O’Hearn made his first All-Star team in 2025, hitting 17 home runs with an .803 OPS in 144 games with the Orioles and Padres,” MLB.com wrote. “The 32-year-old can also play right field, providing versatility to whichever team signs him.

Now 32 years old, O’Hearn is coming off one of his most productive seasons after posting 17 home runs and 63 RBIs with both the Orioles and Padres before materializing into his first career All-Star appearance when he was named designated hitter for the July 15 midsummer classic. O’Hearn is also known as a strong piece defensively, giving the Nationals a potential upgrade at a position of need.

“If the Nationals were using an old playbook, they might consider signing Pete Alonso to fill the void at first base and offer a veteran presence in a reprise of Mike Rizzo signing Jayson Werth after the 2010 season,” The Athletic wrote. “But Paul Toboni was hired as president of baseball operations to resurrect the Nationals, not play a re-run. So the team might aim for a cheaper alternative. O’Hearn slumped after joining the Padres at the trade deadline, but still posted an .803 OPS with 17 home runs.”

What direction the franchise goes in remains to be seen as new manager Blake Butera assembles his new staff, hiring former first round pick Corey Ray as first base coach, Grant Anders as bullpen catcher and MLB development coach and Desmond McGowan as Director of Amateur Acquisitions. ESPN also pointed to a pair of key players whose futures have been speculated as potential trade candidates with pitcher MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams included among 15 players, while the Nationals also enter the offseason with one of the longest lists of free agents among any team with 34 players no longer on payroll following the 2025 season:

Full List:

• Daison Acosta

• Joan Adon

• Wander Arias

• Jose Atencio

• Bryan Caceres

• Hyun-il Choi

• Greider Colina

• Bryce Conley

• Michael Cuevas

• Parker Dunshee

• Erick Mejia

• Johan Otanez

• Adrian Sampson

• Junior Santos

• Chase Solesky

• Samuel Vasquez

• Garrett Davila

• Kevin Dowdell

• Tommy Kane

• Lucas Knowles

• Jose Colmenares

• Francisco Mejia

• CJ Stubbs

• Joe Naranjo

• Juan Yepez

• JT Arruda

• Jackson Cluff

• Yoander Rivero

• Carlos De La Cruz

• Jeremy De La Rosa

• Delino Deshields Jr.

• Donta Williams

• Nick Schnell