BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have officially announced that interim manager Miguel Cairo will not be retained as their permanent manager. In a significant shakeup, multiple members of his coaching staff are also being let go, sources confirm to The Associated Press. This news comes just weeks after the hiring of new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni on October 1, 2023.
The coaching changes include the departures of pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra, and third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez. These moves signal a fresh start for a franchise that has struggled significantly, finishing the 2025 season with a dismal record of 66-96, ranking 14th out of 15 teams in the National League.
The overhaul follows a tumultuous period for the Nationals, who fired former president and general manager Mike Rizzo alongside manager Dave Martinez in July. The organization has endured six consecutive losing seasons since their World Series victory in 2019.
At the press conference introducing Toboni, Nationals owner Mark Lerner expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s current status, stating, “We’re not happy where we are right now. That’s why we brought in Paul. And we’re going to get back to where we’re supposed to be. … Don’t give up on us; we’re going to be there again. Guaranteed.”
Cairo, who had been the Nationals’ bench coach prior to his interim role, is a close friend of Martinez’s, raising questions about the future direction of the team. Toboni emphasized the need to consult with Cairo regarding the managerial position before making any public announcements.
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the Nationals’ next moves as they seek to rebuild and reclaim their place in Major League Baseball. The urgency surrounding these decisions cannot be overstated, as the team looks to reverse years of underperformance.
Expect further updates as the Nationals finalize their leadership for the upcoming season and outline their strategy for improvement.