UPDATE: New Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni has just announced a commitment to a transparent rebuild of the struggling franchise, aiming to revitalize the team following a disappointing 66-96 season. Toboni, the youngest head of baseball operations in Major League Baseball at just 35 years old, emphasized the importance of honesty about the current state of the organization during a recent interview with ESPN.
“We don’t love that we won 66 games this past year. So there’s definitely work to do,” Toboni stated. His remarks come as the Nationals grapple with their fifth last-place finish in the National League East in six years since their 2019 World Series victory. Following the firing of General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez, Toboni’s hiring was officially confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Toboni’s immediate priority is to find a new manager, revealing he has already reached out to interim manager Miguel Cairo and plans to discuss the position with him within the week. With six managerial openings currently available and potential vacancies emerging in Washington, Atlanta, and Colorado, Toboni stressed the urgency of filling this critical role.
While Toboni mentioned the possibility of hiring a general manager to assist with operations, he clarified that it is not a definite course of action. “We want someone that complements my skill and experience sets very well,” he said, indicating a thoughtful approach to building the team’s leadership structure.
In addition to managerial changes, Toboni plans to overhaul the Nationals’ approach to scouting and player development—two areas he successfully managed during his tenure in Boston. “We need to create a robust scouting and player-development process,” he asserted. “The name of the game is graduating high-end, cost-controlled talent to the major leagues.”
Currently, the Nationals’ farm system ranks 22nd out of 30 in ESPN’s evaluations, highlighting the need for immediate improvements despite the recent addition of No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits. The Nationals are ineligible for the upcoming draft lottery due to league regulations, making their earliest potential pick the 11th overall in next year’s draft.
Despite facing a competitive division with talent-rich teams like Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, and Miami, Toboni remains focused on the Nationals’ internal development. He stated, “Just making sure we have the right people in the building… and creating a culture where people value the right things.”
Toboni’s hiring comes after significant achievements at the Red Sox, where he played a pivotal role in drafting key players that bolstered their farm system. His decision to leave Boston was not taken lightly, but the allure of Washington—a “world-class city”—and the vision shared with the Lerner family, who own the Nationals, ultimately guided his choice.
With changes on the horizon, the Nationals are poised for a transformative period. As Toboni gears up to reshape the franchise, fans will be watching closely to see how these strategic decisions unfold in the coming months.