The Washington Nationals find themselves in an awkward position. They’ve got some talent on the roster, but there’s still obvious holes to fill.
The organization isn’t looking to extend their rebuild much longer, but it seems like they’re planning for at least another year before making a real push. If they’re serious about accelerating that timeline, there are some veterans who could help bridge the gap.
Rhys Hoskins fits that description perfectly.
The former Philadelphia Phillies fan favorite remains unsigned in free agency, and Washington could make sense if he’s looking for a place to rebuild his value. Hoskins had a rough 2024 season with Milwaukee, hitting .214/.303/.378 with 26 home runs, but there’s track record there from his Phillies days.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently connected Hoskins to the Nationals when looking at their remaining needs this winter. He also mentioned they could explore shifting prospect Brady House to first base.
House would be a decent option, but Hoskins makes more sense right now.
“The Nationals are a logical landing spot for one of the veteran first basemen still looking for a new home in free agency, though they could also look at the second base market after Luis García Jr. started a couple games at first base in September. Another option is to shift Brady House across the diamond and add a third baseman.”
For Washington, this wouldn’t be about adding a piece for a championship run. Hoskins could view them as a stepping stone – a place to get regular at-bats and hopefully rebuild his market value before a potential summer trade.
That’s actually a win-win scenario. The Nationals get a veteran presence who can provide some pop in the lineup, and Hoskins gets a chance to show he’s still got something left in the tank.
The way I see it, it’s the type of low-risk move that makes sense for both sides.
