One outlet projects the Washington Nationals to make a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to address first base ahead of the 2026 season.
The Washington Nationals have an obvious need at first base ahead of 2026 with Andrés Chaparro viewed as the favorite to take over at first base with Andres Chapparo, Luis Garcia Jr. and Yohandy Morales among the several candidates in the mix.
While president of baseball operations Paul Toboni's moves this offseason has signaled the organization may be in better position to sell than buy to bolster the roster, could the Nationals' local rival materialize into a trade partner prior to Opening Day?
Bleacher Report pointed to the Nationals as a logical trade partner to land Ryan Mountcastle from the Baltimore Orioles.
After six seasons with the organization, Mountcastle finds himself on the outside looking in after the Orioles moved to sign Pete Alonso to a five year, $155 million deal, shifting the former first round pick likely into a backup role ahead of Opening Day. But is that enough to become a possible trade candidate?
Mountcastle is also a candidate to remain as the team's designated hitter, though MLB.com pointed to Samuel Basallo as the projected opening day starter in the spot with him slated to hit fifth in the lineup after Alonso. Whether the Orioles opt to hang onto the local product to bolster the roster's depth ahead of a hopeful playoff season is as much of a question mark as whether the Nationals would move on this type of deal. And even if the Nationals do, would prospects be enough to seal the deal, and could Toboni do it without parting with any of the team's four top-100 prospects within the farm system?
While he enters a contract year and a chance to prove himself, Mountcastle would serve as a surefire upgrade at first base despite coming off a down season while manager Blake Butera is still without a clear long-term answer at the position.
Mountcastle is due to make $6.8 million in 2026 with a $7.5 million club option for 2027.
"If the O's don't see much value in carrying a pretty inflexible player on their bench to begin the season, he should be someone there's trade interest in," Bleacher Report added.
Mountcastle has a career .263 batting average and is coming off a 2025 season where he hit .250 with just seven home runs and 35 RBIs across over 300 at-bats and 89 appearances in a down season. He also finished with a career-worst .653 OPS and -0.4 fWAR with injuries limiting his availability.
While a pre-Opening Day deal is viewed as unlikely, his trade value has never been lower than it is now, possibly incentivizing the Nationals to capitalize on his value to once again address a position of need. Washington was able to do so earlier in this week with Miles Mikolas officially signed to a one-year deal to provide an experienced spark to the rotation, and with a chance to address another position ahead of Opening Day, it'll be interesting to see whether any tangible buzz materializes into the start of 2026.