As the season continues to dwindle away, the Washington Nationals have more questions than answers heading into the off-season. Every aspect of the Washington Nationals organization is filled with questions about who can contribute long-term. Luckily for fans, the off-season is one of the best times of the year, as it allows you to see where the organization is headed and how it addresses its needs.

Washington is in desperate need all over the field. They will have the opportunity to improve their team in the off-season and add players who can fill key roles. Since there are so many holes throughout the team, we will be diving into three free agents that could be realistic options for Washington.

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Whether they are signing long-term or short-term free agents, here are my favorite free agents the Washington Nationals should target in the off-season.

RHP Zach Littell

Current Team: Cincinnati Reds

Littell was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds during the trade deadline and has been a great arm for both Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. However, with free agency looming, Littell is deserving of a multi-year contract. Littell has thrown over 145 innings the past three seasons and would fill a huge need in Washington.

For Washington to sign Littell, they would likely overpay for the right-hander. If Littell could keep up similar production from the past three seasons, he could sit alongside MacKenzie Gore at the top half of the rotation.

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2B Brendan Rodgers

Current Team: Houston Astros

Rodgers was drafted 3rd overall in the 2015 MLB Draft and has been a solid contributor since making his debut in 2019. His best season came in 2022, setting career highs in WAR, RBIs, and winning a Gold Glove for his stellar defense. In 2025, Rodgers has struggled to stay healthy, and when he has been healthy, the results have not been what Houston was hoping for.

Even with a down year, Washington could benefit from having Rodgers on the roster. His high-level defense and his right-handed bat could play a significant role in turning around the Washington defense.

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RHP Zach Eflin

Current Team: Baltimore Orioles

Eflin was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2024 trade deadline and pitched to a 2.60 ERA in the second half of the season. However, this year has been the complete opposite, sitting with one of the lowest ERAs of his career. Eflin’s best season came in his first season in Tampa Bay in 2023. Currently at thirty-one years old, a team will pay top dollar to try and progress Eflin back to his old self.

Once again, this could be a situation where Washington overpays for the right-hander, but he would fill a huge role in the rotation. In 2023 and 2024, Eflin topped at least 165 innings and has shown the ability to perform at a high level.

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This is an important off-season, and it cannot be understated how desperate this team is for new talent. The free agent pool isn’t the flashiest; however, Washington does not need flashy at this point. They need talent. Whether they are taking chances on underachieving talent or they are overpaying for much-needed depth, these are moves that I believe could happen for Washington this upcoming off-season.