Washington Needs to Consider These Top 5 Free Agents Raising at Nationals Park

The Washington Nationals are entering a crucial offseason for their current rebuild.

After missing the postseason for the fifth consecutive season since winning the World Series in 2019, the Nationals are in prime position to break the drought in 2025. With some of the organization’s top prospects finally ready to contribute to the League club Principal, The Washington administration must not allow the current window they are about to enter to go to waste.

The first step will be to improve the team’s roster with solid position players to complement the young core it has developed. The Nationals will look to get through this winter as they emerge from the rebuilding stages of their organization. However, not all free agents are created equal.

Of the 76 pending unrestricted free agents this offseason, only a few have found sustained success competing at Nationals Park.

Here are the top players looking for a new team this winter who have performed at their best in Washington, D.C., regardless of position or team need.

Highest OPS: Teoscar Hernandez

The 32-year-old outfielder has rocked his limited visits to Nationals Park. Although he only played nine games in the nation’s capital, he made the most of his time at the academy. Hernandez has seven home runs in 37 at-bats. His nine extra-base hits helped him post an impressive 1.388 OPS while facing the Nats in Washington.

Hernandez revived his career in 2024 after signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was named to his first All-Star Game since 2021 and made Dodgers history by winning the 2024 T-Mobile Home Run Derby this summer. He also set a career high this year with 33 homers, a number that would be even higher (36) if he had played all of his games at Nationals Park, according to Baseball Savant.

While the Nationals have plenty of young talent poised to patrol the outfield in 2025, adding Hernandez as a fourth option and lead designated hitter would instantly improve the team’s lineup. Mike Rizzo, the organization’s general manager, mentioned late in the season that one of the main focuses this offseason will be adding mid-level bats.

Best batting average: Mark Canha

Another veteran outfielder, Mark Canha, found success playing in Washington. In 15 games played against the Nationals in D.C., the 35-year-old posted a .379 batting average after going 22-for-58 at the plate. He also posted a strikeout rate of just 14% while on base at Nationals Park, vastly lower than the league-wide average of 22%.

Canha was traded for the second consecutive season in 2024 after being traded from the Detroit Tigers to the San Francisco Giants at the MLB trade deadline. He finished the year hitting .242/.344/.346 with seven home runs and 42 RBI.

While his numbers were close to league average in 2024 (99 OPS+), there could still be a potential match for the aging bat with the Nationals. Like Hernandez, Canha could serve as a designated hitter and an option to use in the outfield when needed. However, Canha could also play first base, something Washington absolutely needs to improve before 2025. He played 50 games at corner infield last season.

Most home runs – Juan Soto

Many won’t need reminding of how good Juan Soto was as a member of the Washington Nationals. Throughout his five seasons with the club, the star outfielder was the new face of the franchise. After finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year race in 2018, Soto was a crucial piece in helping the Nationals win their first World Series for the organization in 2019. Before being traded to the San Diego Padres, Soto recorded . home runs with the club, with 50 of them coming at Nationals Park.

It was another fantastic season for Soto in 2024. The superstar was traded to the New York Yankees this past offseason and was named to his four All-Star Games after another great year at the plate. He set a career-high 41 homers with the Bronx Bombers this season and helped them return to the ALCS for the first time since 2022. Like Hernandez, Soto’s long ball numbers would be higher (47) if all his plate appearances would be at Nationals Park – another sign that his game works well in D.C.

Could a reunion be on the cards for the Nationals? The main reason the deal took place in the first place in 2022 was due to uncertainty over the future ownership of the club. Now that Principal owner Mark Lerner has changed his mind about selling the team, a return may be possible. The Nationals front office will have to enter a bidding war if they intend to be in the running for Soto this offseason, as he is expected to receive a 14-year, $513 million contract this winter, according to Spotrac.

Best of the rest: Yuli Gurriel

Another veteran who can play the infield corners has found success, albeit in a small sample size at Nationals Park. Gurriel has slashed .364/.432/.636 in 11 games over his nine-year MLB career. He also hit two home runs and recorded five extra-base hits in that span.

Gurriel did not appear in the majors in 2024 until late in the year following an injury to Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals traded for the former Houston Astros Gold Glove winner. He was acquired from the Atlanta Braves, who stashed him at Triple-A. In 18 games of the year, he helped the Royals secure an American League Wildcard berth by hitting .241/.338/.296 with three extra-base hits.

Assuming he plans to play in 2025, the 40-year-old Gurriel could be a potential piece for the Nationals to bring in to compete for the first base job in 2025. Throughout his career, he has hit both left and right field well with the hands. His .782 OPS vs. LHP and .756 vs. RHP could also make him a valuable asset off the bench.

Best of the rest: Carson Kelly

Like Gurriel, Kelly found success when he played at District of Columbia, but the sample size isn’t huge. In 12 games, the 30-year-old catcher hit .313/.410/.625 with three home runs.

The former second-round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft has found himself on multiple teams this season after being moved at the MLB trade deadline. The Texas Rangers acquired him from the Tigers in exchange for two minor league opportunities. Over the course of the year, the Chicago native hit a .687 OPS in 91 games.

With the Nationals needing to improve their catching depth on the roster, including a potential replacement for backup Riley Adams, adding a veteran like Kelly would be a huge asset for the club. The Nationals’ young pitching rotation could use a veteran who has played for multiple teams throughout his career.