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.

Washington hosts New York with a five-game skid on the line. The Nationals shuffle the bottom of the order: Robert Hassell moves to center and bats fifth, Riley Adams will handle catching, Brady House returns at third, Nasim Nunez slides to second, and Cade Cavalli starts on the mound. The Mets counter with Cedric Mullins in for Jose Siri and Jeff McNeil at second as Nolan McLean, the club’s new ace with extraordinary movement, gets the ball. The game at Citi Field becomes a test: can cleaner defense and a sharper attack snap the Nats out of their funk and slow a Mets club chasing a playoff push?

Washington hosts Pittsburgh in an early rubber match at Nationals Park, with Washington reshuffling the lineup as Dylan Crews sits. Robert Hassell moves to right, Jacob Young to center, Daylen Lile in left, and James Wood shifts to DH while Riley Adams handles catching and Nasim Nunez stays at second. Cade Cavalli starts for the Nats. Pittsburgh counters with a lefty-friendly lineup featuring Oneil Cruz, Ji Hwan Bae, Spencer Horwitz, Joey Bart catching, and Mike Burrows on the mound. The Nats seek a September spark against aPirates club facing similar odds, hoping to prove they can beat teams in this tier.

The tactical shifts create fantasy intrigue: expect Hassell and Young to climb the batting order, Lile and Wood to contribute from spots that boost run potential, and Cavalli to deliver mixed results against a left-handed heavy Pirates lineup. For Pittsburgh, left-handed combinations against Cavalli will test Washington’s defense and opportunistic baserunning. This game is a chance for both teams to showcase resilience in a tight early-season schedule.

The matchup between the New York Mets (19-9) and Washington Nationals (13-15) features Griffin Canning taking the mound for New York against Trevor Williams for Washington. The Mets recently suffered a shocking loss, squandering a seven-run lead, allowing the Nationals to rally in the last three innings for an 8-7 victory, with Riley Adams hitting a pivotal three-run home run in the seventh.

Tonight's game is crucial as the Nationals have taken two of the first three in this four-game series. Betting trends show the Mets have won 6 of their last 7 road games following a defeat. The latest odds favor the Mets with a -158 moneyline while the Nationals sit at +133. Predictions suggest a strong possibility of an OVER on the game total of 9.0 runs.

The Washington Nationals are actively finalizing agreements with arbitration-eligible players to avoid hearings scheduled for February. Catcher Riley Adams and relief pitcher Derek Law have successfully reached contracts, leaving four players still in negotiations. One notable player, starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, secured a one-year deal with the team, although contract details have not been disclosed.

Gore, who earned $749,600 last season, is expected to receive a significant raise following a strong performance in 2024. The young pitcher notched career highs with ten wins, a 3.90 ERA, and 181 strikeouts over 166.1 innings, showcasing the potential that made him a top prospect.

Despite leading the league with 14 wild pitches, many of Gore's advanced metrics point to an upward trajectory in his performance. In the last month of the season, he emerged as one of baseball's top pitchers, achieving a remarkable 1.26 ERA across five starts with 35 strikeouts, making it clear he is a key asset for the Nationals moving forward.