Paul Toboni is expected to be the Nationals’ president of baseball operations. The intention is for the Nationals to hire a general manager under Toboni, per source as @brittghiroli.bsky.social first reported.

In this story: the Nats hired an executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, to assist with the GM search. And Mark Lerner met with Philadelphia Phillies POBO Dave Dombrowski for advice on the process when their teams played in August, according to a person familiar:

The Nationals are finalizing a deal to hire Red Sox AGM Paul Toboni as their new head of baseball operations. Here’s what we know, with @andrewgolden.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Nationals’ top pitching prospects -- Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana -- are sidelined for the foreseeable future. Who’s next? Wrote about Jake Bennett, Alex Clemmey and Jackson Kent, the trio of lefties who ended their seasons in Harrisburg:

Some weekend reading from me, @andrewcgolden and @chelsea_janes: At a critical juncture in the Nationals' existence, the decision-making process can seem "chaotic," the franchise "directionless." A look at the Lerners, who's in the room, and the vibe. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Nationals are moving Mitchell Parker to the bullpen, at least until the end of this season. We’ll talk to Miguel Cairo about it in a bit, but Parker said he understands the decision and will learn on the fly.

Cade Cavalli looks even better in the majors than he did in the minor leagues. I wondered why that was. So I asked him. Bigger crowds? Better luck? A healthier arm? Not exactly. To pitch again, Cade Cavalli had to learn his pitches again: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

First version of today's story on the Nationals' loss in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Jake Irvin allowed five in the fourth inning: “It’s been kind of a microcosm of the season,” Irvin said. “Trying to limit that damage and not being able to do it.”

Another person who has interviewed for the Nationals’ GM job, per sources: Cleveland Guardians EVP and assistant GM Matt Forman. Forman started as a director of baseball operations for Cleveland.

Jose A. Ferrer always wanted to be a closer. So over the last two seasons, he’s sought advice from some of the best. On the conversations he’s had with Edwin Díaz, Aroldis Chapman, Devin Williams and Kyle Finnegan that are helping him now:

Robert Hassell III’s solo HR in the ninth was a product of advice from assistant coach Chris Johnson. Josh Bell’s three-run HR was a product of prepping in the batting cage and knowing his own scouting report. Inside the Nats’ comeback against the Cubs:

Nas Nuñez hit his first two big-league homers in the same game. He then answered questions with a big, silver chain around his neck that spelled out “NAS.” Then, in a twist, my editors put a Jay-Z reference as the headline. Anyways. The Nas Nuñez game: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Nationals outhit the Yankees on Tuesday. Sometimes, that edge alone can determine who will win a game. A more predictive factor: hitting for power. The good teams have it; the bad teams have to string hits together to keep up. That showed tonight:

Mason Denaburg didn’t lose his love for baseball. But injuries ripped away the career he imagined. This offseason, the former first-round pick had a choice — continue baseball or attempt to be a college punter. He chose the latter:

Eli Willits has played 4 games in Class A as a 17 year old. The ages of the pitchers’ in those games? 21, 22, 21 and 20. It’s early, but he’s more than held his own. On the young shortstop who hasn’t carried himself like it so far: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Who is Mike DeBartolo? A man who left the private sector because he loved ball. A man who many believe is well-equipped to lead the Nats. A man who probably prefers not to be the subject of a profile. My profile of the Nats interim GM: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Sam Horn is living out quite the backyard dream. This summer, he signed with the Dodgers as a pitcher. Now he's competing to be Mizzou's starting QB. Here's the how and why, including what Horn tells us about the business of modern college sports: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez was clinical and disorienting behind a six-pitch mix Sunday. Through two innings of a 3-2 loss, the Nationals did not have a hit. Through five innings, they had swung at a higher percentage of pitches outside the zone than pitches inside it.

Best win of the year? Nats make the case in a thriller over the Phillies.

The Nationals are sending No. 1 pick Eli Willits to Low-A Fredericksburg this week, according to a source with knowledge of the move. The 17-year-old could make his FredNats debut as soon as tomorrow.

Miguel Cairo and Carlos Mendoza take a photo with their lineup cards. First MLB game managed by two Venezuelan natives. Pretty cool moment.

This — that — was the version of Cade Cavalli the Nationals were waiting for. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

When Jake Irvin exited on Wednesday, Miguel Cairo had to figure out how to get through five innings with a bullpen comprised of seven rookie relievers and Jose A. Ferrer, the wily 25-year old veteran. On an inexperienced group that came through:

Daylen Lile picked up a cricket bat. Brad Lord picked up a “Death Ball.” Jackson Rutledge saw a pitch that gave Kevin Gausman blisters and figured he would pick it up, too. What your favorite MLB player can learn from TikToks of his favorite player: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

During the rebuild, the Nats have been one of the least active transactional teams in baseball. So I wrote about the marginal moves that have helped other teams — and could be coming to D.C. soon: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

When Mac was a baby, Bryce Harper cradled him in his arms. A decade later, that same kid led “sell the team” chants at Nationals Park. On Wednesday, I talked to nine fans in nine innings about the state of the Nats rebuild. Here’s what they had to say: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Hi all! I’m writing about the state of the Nats rebuild through the perspective of the fans. As such, if you’re at tonight’s game and interested in sharing your thoughts, please reach out! We’ll set up a time to talk for an inning during the game.

“Those innings suck. I wouldn’t wish those on anyone. I’ve been out there for enough of them now to know that they suck, and it doesn’t make it suck any less to know we’re hopefully going to cruise afterward.” www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Nationals were all about upside as they stocked up at the MLB draft

James Wood’s all-star swing has been years in the making

This story is so good.

Dispatch from St. Louis on a night where the Nationals would’ve liked to get a lot of plays and pitches back: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Dispatch from St. Louis: What Day 1 looked like for the Nationals under interim manager Miguel Cairo: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Here’s what we know about the last 24 hours and how they could shape the Nationals future, including why those in the org believe Mike DeBartolo will be a change-maker:

Almost every team in MLB — from the Yankees and Dodgers down to the Marlins, White Sox and Rockies — has invested in the fanciest pitching machine available. The Nats still don't have one. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Halfway home, these Nats look fully cooked (via @spencernusbaum.bsky.social):

James Wood has 21 homers. Few can match his raw power. Teammates, then, have gossiped and wondered… Will he participate in the HR Derby? “I mean, it’s been brought up,” Wood said, smirking. And… Well, he’s got some thoughts in here: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

In Sunday’s 13-7 defeat to the Dodgers, the Nationals cruised, then unraveled. They wore their frustration plainly, and then they buckled. (via @spencernusbaum.bsky.social)

In recent months the problem of online threats and harassment of athletes by gamblers appears to have become more widespread, more specific and more sinister. Read more from @davesheinin.bsky.social, @andrewgolden.bsky.social and a host of @postsports.bsky.social reporters here:

New York City’s comptroller Brad Lander, who is running for mayor, was detained Tuesday by ICE while observing immigration hearings in Manhattan, according to his campaign. wapo.st/4eccEXs

Despite the Nationals' ninth straight loss, Brady House represented the potential for something the team has lacked since it won the World Series in 2019: a homegrown, power-hitting everyday third baseman (via @spencernusbaum.bsky.social)

🧵Safe to say, Brady House's debut has been highly-anticipated. In the mean time, here's a thread of stories over the years on House as a crash course:

Story on the Nationals calling up top hitting prospect Brady House: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Before the Nationals lost their eighth straight game, Dave Martinez said he talked to his players. He also said his comments weren’t directed at them. But one source said players were “shocked, dismayed and pissed.” More about Saturday’s comments:

“We’re not going to finger-point here and say it’s on the coaches. It’s never on the coaches.” After the Nationals’ seventh straight defeat, a 4-3 loss to the Marlins, Manager Dave Martinez defended his staff and said he expected better from the players.

Great story worth your time ⬇️

@davesheinin.bsky.social did a great job putting this story together about sports betting, social media and their roles in fueling abuse and threats from fans. Nathaniel Lowe and Josiah Gray are quoted in here with their thoughts/experiences:

Full Q & A from Nationals Manager Dave Martinez on where the blame lies for the offensive swoon. "It's never on coaching. It's never on coaching. Coaches work their asses off every single day."

The Nationals should’ve considered themselves lucky to be one swing away in the ninth inning from tying Thursday’s game against the New York Mets. Because for eight innings, their offense looked stagnant. On an offense that finally came to life late:

Done in by Jacob deGrom, the Nationals sputter against the Rangers: