Paul Toboni’s arrival as Nationals president of baseball operations signals a strategic reset centered on fixing the catching position and accelerating a 2026 return to contention. Washington plans a trade-focused offseason to upgrade behind the plate, moving beyond Keibert Ruiz and leveraging depth at catcher with an eye toward immediate impact.

Targets surface in the form of high-upside prospects like Dalton Rushing and Harry Ford, with current catchers Riley Adams and Drew Millas as potential trade chips. A 0.2 fWAR from catchers in 2025 underscores the urgency, and the winter will reveal whether the Nats land a ready-made backstop or a fast-tracked package that jump-starts the rebuild.

The overarching aim is a faster, smarter path to relevance in 2026, balancing short-term gains with long-term talent. Fantasy managers should monitor catcher market chatter and how Washington slices its depth to land a game-changing upgrade.