With the Washington Nationals expected to make a pivotal managerial decision this offseason, we explore the most likely paths forward and what it could mean for the team’s long-term rebuild.
The Washington Nationals are in a position that no team wants to be in. With the mid-season firing of General Manager Mike Rizzo and Field Manager Dave Martinez, Washington now has to find a new regime to come in and turn the franchise around. Martinez and Rizzo were the organizational leaders who helped Washington win the World Series in 2019, and it is going to be a challenge to change this franchise.
Fans were starting to lose hope in Dave Martinez; however, this will not be an easy position to fill. Great managers hit the open market every year, whether that is an assistant or bench coach looking for a big opportunity or an experienced manager trying to find success elsewhere. Washington will have options, but who will be the best?
Even though the 2026 off-season is months away, let’s dive in and look into the top manager candidates for the Washington Nationals and their future.
Miguel Cairo, Washington Nationals Interim Manager
Cairo is currently sitting as the interim manager for the Washington Nationals and could hold his position into 2026. This is not his first time being thrown into the spotlight. Back in 2022, Cairo took over later in the season for Tony da Russa and the Chicago White Sox. He finished with an 18-16 record, but the challenge is steeper here in Washington. With a successful second half, Cairo could earn himself the position, but it is too early to tell.
A better approach might be to start from scratch by bringing in a new team and trying to change the culture in Washington. However, if the new regime has a great trade deadline and plays well in the second half, Cairo could have a great chance of earning a long-term role in Washington.
Ryan Flaherty, Chicago Cubs Bench Coach
Flaherty has been with Craig Counsell in Chicago for the past two years and is becoming a name to watch out for in the 2026 off-season. Before heading to Chicago, he worked for the San Diego Padres as a development coach. Flaherty was even allowed to serve as the acting manager in 2022, as Bob Melvin suffered from COVID-19. Working under one of the best managers in baseball, Flaherty’s time to shine as a manager could be this upcoming off-season. He could bring a different feeling to Washington Nationals baseball.
He has been most rumored with the Baltimore Orioles; however, Washington has an interesting roster to work with and a solid farm system that could intrigue any manager to come to Washington.
Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals Manager
Marmol has been in St. Louis since 2022 and was hired at age 35, becoming one of the youngest managers in baseball. His career with St. Louis started with a bang, winning 93 games and making the playoffs. Since then, St. Louis has struggled, and fans are becoming eager to win baseball games. It seems that Marmol’s time in St. Louis could be coming to an end if St. Louis finishes with another disappointing record. Marmol could bring much-needed experience and could be a perfect fit for Marmol to regain credibility.
I believe the Marmol is handcuffed by John Mozeliak. In an article written by Josh Jacobs on FanSided, quotes are included that talk about an interesting situation with Eric Fedde still starting games in St. Louis. On KMOX, when asked if he wanted to start bullpen arms or even call up prospects, he said, “Um, yes… And I’m trying to figure out how honest to be publicly here… there’s a lot of people at the table to make that decision, okay?”
It might be an unpopular pick, but with the experience and the way he has handled being the manager of one of the historic franchises in baseball, I think he would be a great addition to the Washington Nationals coaching staff.
Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager
DeRosa has been a popular pick for Nationals fans on who they want to be the next manager. DeRosa is a former player who played sixteen years in the MLB. He has been an MLB Network Analyst but has recently taken the manager position for Team USA in the WBC. He managed the team in 2023 when they lost the Japan in the finals. DeRosa has expressed interest in becoming an MLB manager, interviewing for the position with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins in recent years.
This would be a fun hire. I am with Nationals fans, I think this would be a slam dunk hire for Washington and would immediately improve this team heading into the future.
Final Opinion
The most realistic option, if he hits the open market, is Oliver Marmol, and I would like the decision. Marmol has been dealt a difficult hand in St. Louis, and with a new regime in Washington, things could turn around for the franchise. It all stems from: What will Washington do to become a better baseball team? The answer is simple; if they spend money in the correct places while prioritizing the young talent they have, they will become a great baseball team sooner rather than later.