Veteran Slugger is listed as a potential first base option for the Washington Nationals

There are many areas the Washington Nationals would like to improve this offseason, but if they operate on a limited budget and choose to continue developing their young stars, there’s a chance this roster won’t look much different in 2025.

In the long run, that might not be the worst decision considering how strong the NL East will be next year, so continuing to give playing time to the young players might be general manager Mike Rizzo’s preferred path.

Still, there will be some changes throughout the lineup, with one of the most likely overhauls being at first base. Joey Gallo is a free agent and it looks like he won’t be returning due to the limited production he had this season.

There are some internal options, most notably Juan Yepez and No. 9 candidate Yohandy Morales, but the Nationals could still look to bring in someone to boost production from that position.

A Brandon Little player district on deck believes Washington could target Ryan O’Hearn from the Baltimore Orioles this winter if they decide to decline his $8 million club option.

“This move is highly unlikely, but in the event the Orioles decline O’Hearn’s club option, he would be a great fit for DC. Ryan O’Hearn would be the cheapest option for Mike Rizzo when looking at the Orioles’ personnel. O’ “Hearn can play 1st base, which is once again the Nationals’ top need moving forward. O’Hearn is a great fielder and a great left-handed hitter,” he writes.

This would be a very interesting addition for the Nationals.

O’Hearn has improved dramatically on the field since being traded there from the Kansas City Royals prior to the 2023 season, finishing with an OPS+ of 22 points above the league average of 100 in both years.

By moving across the Beltway, Washington would have a reliable left-handed hitter to pair with Yepez, something they were unable to get from Gallo due to poor performance and injury.

The Orioles are unlikely to decline the club option for O’Hearn in 2025 due to the affordable numbers and increased payroll capacity this franchise offers, but they also need to address other areas on the roster that could make the bat expendable.

If he hits the open market, the Nationals should be interested in improving their first base position with someone who has 29 homers, 119 RBI and .275/.329/.450 over the last two years.