Honestly, if you’re a fan of the baseball team the nationals, you’ve probably spent the last few months wondering if the "rebuild" just hit a brick wall. It did. Or, more accurately, the team decided to pick up the sledgehammer themselves and knock the whole thing down.
Last year was supposed to be the "step forward" year. Instead, Washington stumbled to a 66–96 record, finishing dead last in the NL East. It wasn’t just the losing that hurt; it was how it happened. The defense was messy. The bullpen was, statistically speaking, one of the worst in the history of the sport. Basically, it was a nightmare.
By July, ownership had seen enough. They fired longtime GM Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez, effectively ending the era that brought a World Series trophy to D.C. in 2019. Now, as we head into 2026, the vibe is completely different. We’re looking at the youngest leadership duo in baseball with President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni and manager Blake Butera.
The New Look of the Washington Nationals
The front office is basically a tech startup now. Toboni came over from the Red Sox, and Butera, who is only 33, was plucked from the Tampa Bay Rays' system. If you follow the Rays, you know what that means: analytics, efficiency, and a massive focus on "player development."
Butera is the youngest manager the big leagues have seen in over 50 years. He’s younger than some of the guys on his own roster. That’s a bold swing. The coaching staff got a complete makeover, too. The average age of the staff dropped from 51 down to about 36. Aside from Sean Doolittle, who stayed on as an assistant pitching coach, almost everyone is new.
They aren’t promising a playoff run this year. In fact, they’re barely promising a winning record. Toboni and Butera have been pretty open about 2026 being a "cultural reset." They want to fix the fundamentals—the stuff that made the baseball team the nationals so hard to watch last summer. We’re talking about baserunning errors and a chase rate that was frankly embarrassing.
Who is actually staying?
You’ve got the core, sure. CJ Abrams is still the guy at shortstop, even if his defense makes scouts nervous. He avoided arbitration with a $4.2 million deal for 2026. Then there’s James Wood. The 6'7" outfielder is the crown jewel. He hit 31 home runs last year, but he also struck out 221 times. That’s a lot of wind. If Wood can stop swinging at sliders in the dirt, he’s an MVP candidate. If not, he’s just a very tall guy who strikes out a lot.
- CJ Abrams: The speed and power are there, but the glove needs work.
- James Wood: Elite power, but the strikeouts are a major red flag.
- Dylan Crews: The 2023 #2 overall pick had a rough rookie year (.208 average) and an oblique injury. 2026 is his "prove it" year.
- MacKenzie Gore: The lone bright spot in the rotation. He was an All-Star last year and is the undisputed ace.
What Happened to the "Old" Nats?
The Keibert Ruiz situation is... complicated. When the team gave him an eight-year, $50 million extension, they thought they had their catcher for a decade. But between concussion issues and a .595 OPS last year, the new regime isn't waiting around. They traded for Mariners prospect Harry Ford this winter.
Ford is likely the future behind the plate. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Ruiz fans, but that’s the reality of the Toboni era. If you aren't producing, you’re a "sunk cost."
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And then there’s the bullpen. It was a disaster zone. The relievers put up a 5.59 ERA last year. To fix it, they’ve been taking "lottery ticket" flyers on guys like Griff McGarry and Trevor Gott. It’s low-risk, but it also means the late innings might still be a rollercoaster for fans.
The 2026 Outlook
Don't expect the baseball team the nationals to spend big on free agents like Pete Alonso. That's not the plan. They are sitting on a low payroll (around $109 million) and waiting for 2027 or 2028 to really open the wallet.
The goal for this season is simple:
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- Develop the Outfield: Get Wood, Crews, and Jacob Young playing like a cohesive unit.
- Fix the Pitching: See if Cade Cavalli can finally stay healthy after his Tommy John recovery.
- Fundamental Growth: Stop beating themselves with stupid errors.
It’s going to be a long summer in D.C. if you only care about the win-loss column. But if you like watching young talent figure things out under a manager who speaks their language, it might actually be fun.
If you're looking to follow the team this year, keep an eye on the "New Baseball Media" recaps and the official Nationals.TV broadcasts. The move away from MASN is a huge win for local fans who just want to watch the games without a cable subscription.
For those planning to attend games at Nationals Park, look for the development of Brady House at third base. He’s 22 and has some of the best raw power in the system. If he and Wood both click, the middle of that lineup will be scary. Just don't book your World Series parade tickets for 2026. This is a slow burn.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the K-rate: If James Wood’s strikeout percentage drops below 30% in April, buy his jersey. It means the new coaching staff is working.
- Keep an eye on Harry Ford: His arrival in Triple-A or a late-season call-up will signal the end of the Ruiz era.
- Check the waiver wire: Toboni is going to be aggressive with roster churn. The roster you see on Opening Day will look 50% different by August.