The Washington Nationals have struggled to secure a reliable first baseman for several seasons, arguably since Adam LaRoche’s departure a decade ago. While players like Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick provided glimpses of stability, the team has lacked a true anchor at first base. This has become especially apparent since their World Series victory, as the Nationals have cycled through a series of underwhelming options.
In recent years, the team has tried various players—Eric Thames, Dominic Smith, Joey Gallo—only to see disappointing results. Even Joey Meneses, who had a promising finish to 2022, couldn’t maintain that level of play. This lack of production at first base reflects a broader issue for the Nationals, who have also struggled to find consistent power hitters overall.
The designated hitter role has been just as problematic, indicating a systemic issue with power hitting in the lineup. However, first base remains the most glaring oversight by the front office, characterized by a frustrating series of temporary fixes. If the Nationals are serious about strengthening this position, several appealing options are available this offseason.
The Allure of Pete Alonso
One of the most prominent names on the market is Pete Alonso, the Home Run Derby champion and a division rival. Although he’s coming off what might be his least productive season, his slugging potential is undeniable. Alonso has consistently hit over 34 home runs each season, except for the shortened 2020 campaign. To put that in perspective, the highest single-season total for any current National is just 20 home runs, achieved by CJ Abrams in 2024.
However, signing Alonso may be financially impractical for the Nationals. His market value likely exceeds what owner Mark Lerner and GM Mike Rizzo are willing to invest. Thus, the focus shifts to a more realistic target: Christian Walker.
The Case for Christian Walker
Walker, a current slugger for the Arizona Diamondbacks, may not boast Alonso’s raw power, but he represents a sensible alternative. At over three years older than Alonso, Walker is a more affordable option. He has performed exceptionally well at the plate, registering a 20% better-than-average performance over the past three seasons. His defensive prowess is equally impressive; he has won the Gold Glove award in 2022 and 2023, with a strong chance of securing it again this season.
While there’s speculation that Walker’s best years may be behind him, this could make him a more cost-effective signing with a shorter commitment compared to Alonso. The question remains: how much should the Nationals be willing to invest? Anything beyond a four-year deal for Walker might be risky, yet even that would be a departure from the team’s recent strategy of skimping on significant investments.
Limited Options Beyond Walker
After Walker, the free agent market for first basemen becomes less enticing. Ryan O’Hearn could be an option if his $8 million club option is exercised, but after him, the choices dwindle to older players like Paul Goldschmidt, Justin Turner, and Jose Abreu, who may not offer the production the team needs.
Josh Bell, who had a solid second half in 2024, could be a familiar option, given his past success in Washington. Cody Bellinger also makes sense due to his positional flexibility and solid defensive skills. However, his connection to agent Scott Boras and inconsistent performances in recent seasons may raise red flags.
Exploring Big Names
Though speculative, the idea of pursuing Juan Soto warrants mention. However, the logistics of shifting him to first base and whether he would even entertain such a move complicate the discussion.
The Nationals face a pressing need to address their first base situation unless they are overly optimistic about Juan Yepez and Andres Chaparro stepping up. The question is whether the team will take a calculated risk on a player like Walker or continue their trend of low-risk flier signings. As the offseason unfolds, the Nationals must weigh their options carefully to avoid repeating past mistakes and finally secure a stable first baseman.
