President of baseball operations Paul Toboni explained why the Nationals are "an attractive landing spot for folks [who] want to compete"
The Washington Nationals have been one of the most quiet teams across college football this offseason with only a handful of moves, while the team officially avoided arbitration with all seven players after agreeing to terms with Cade Cavalli on Sunday.
But still, the Nationals have plenty of question marks whether it's pitching or in the infield with president of baseball operations Paul Toboni opting to stay patient ahead of his first season with the organization. But he also signaled that the Nationals may not have their 2026 roster finalized with the organization still engaging in talks with other teams.
"We're continuing to have trade conversations with other teams." Toboni said on an appearance with MLB Network Radio or Sirius XM on Sunday.
The two who have drawn all the buzz this offseason is starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore along with a little bit of chatter around shortstop CJ Abrams ahead of the Winter Meetings, but with roughly one month until spring training kicks off, that also could mean potential roster acquisitions.
While there have yet to be tangible reports linking the potential free agent signing, reports has surfaced over the last two days that the Washington Nationals could find an answer for its first base questions with Rhys Hoskins still available.
Hoskins, 32, is coming off two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and approaches the 2026 season as a free agent after his team option was declined after 2025. He played 90 games in 2025 and hit .237 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs with a respectable .748 OPS, but he was limited after suffering a grade two thumb sprain that sidelined him for nearly two months.
A former fifth round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, Hoskins made his debut in August 2017 where he went on to play through 2022, playing in at least 100 games and notched at least 27 home runs in four of his next five seasons.
Hoskins would provide the Nationals with much needed right handed power along with a solution at first base after Josh Bell agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins earlier this offseason.
Toboni also offered optimism in pieces looking to join the Nationals' young core, though the results have yet to prove just that so far this offseason.
"What I found is we're an attractive landing spot for folks [who] want to compete," he added on the radio appearance.
Whether that means Hoskins, another potential free agent who fills a need or a possible preseason MacKenzie Gore trade remains to be seen with reports still keeping the starting pitcher in play despite no change in stance on the return. The Nationals made a pair of moves in recent days including a homecoming agreed to over the weekend and reinforcement possibly added on Monday, both minor league deals, to become potential candidates to do exactly that but with many questions still left to answer, time will tell how Toboni's vision for year one materializes by Opening Day.
Washington will open spring training against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, Feb. 21.