while Washington Nationals We weren’t the worst team in terms of production from the first phase in 2024, they certainly weren’t one of the best.

They appear to have found plenty of positions during their rebuilding efforts over the last two years, including shortstop, second base and outfield, but first base remains a problem for the National League East denizens.

Like many rebuilding teams before them, the Nationals could solve the problem by bringing in a key free agent this winter and open the window for contention.

In fact, Mark Feinsand wrote in a recent article MLB.com He listed Washington running back first baseman Pete Alonso as one of the top seven candidates for free agency.

“Juan Yepez is currently at the top of the depth chart at this position,” Feinsand writes, “but Alonso could give the Nationals a veteran bat to complement their young core.”

The Nationals had three players at first base in 2024: Juan Yepez, Joey Meneses and Joey Gallo.

Those three hit .241/.310/.376 with 14 home runs and 74 RBIs while manning the position, and their OPS of .686 ranked 22nd in all of baseball.

But Alonso batted .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs, and his .788 OPS ranked sixth in all of baseball while playing all 162 games.

When it comes to leadership of the young squad, this aspect of Alonso’s personality is highly controversial because last season, the slugger kept the All-Star game from representing his other, much more deserving teammates because he wanted to play in the Home Run Derby, which he lost in the first round.

He has tremendous stamina, playing at 846. New York Mets‘ His tenacity and drive to play 870 games and a 162-game season since his debut in 2019, through the little aches and pains that build up, would be huge for the young men (looking at you CJ Abrams).

Alonso has also had success at Nationals Park throughout his career; He hit .304/.391/.619 with 15 home runs and 34 RBIs in 210 plate appearances in 48 games.

Any club looking to sign the Polar Bears will be taking a big hit defensively at first base. Baseball Master He has -9 Above Average Outs in 2024, third percentile in MLB, and a career -26 Above Average career total over six seasons.

There are many reasons why Washington should sign the veteran and many reasons not to; But this close to the end of their rebuild, they absolutely need to make a splash in free agency, and Alonso would add a tremendous amount of strength to them. their roster if nothing else.