Let us pretend we have a time machine and you could ask Paul Toboni, or anyone on his staff three questions. And you were guaranteed to receive a complete and truthful answer. What would you ask? And since this is pure fastasy (complete and truthful?), given that we have a time machine we can get Toboni to answer using the knowledge he has gained by Opening Day.
Steve, Andrew and I will take turns on our questions and what we think or hope the answers will be. And there is a poll for you to pick you favorite question.
First Question
Steves’s Question: You mentioned that you value leadership and mentioned Alex Bregman as your leader with the Red Sox. Ryan Zimmerman mentioned that the Nats need a veteran leader. Are you going to acquire that person on a long-term deal this offseason?
Don’s Comments: I suspect his truthful answer will be that he is trying, but he doubts he will succeed in getting a player close to Bregman. He will add that he appreciated Zimmerman’s insight and agrees with them and that is why he is considering Josh Bell on a two year deal with a third year mutual option.
Andrew’s Comments: That’s the question I would like to get a complete and honest answer. So now I need a new first question.
Andrew’s Question: What budget were you given by the ownership group?
Steve’s Comments: That is a great question. Usually we get to that number. I’d love to know that number at the onset to the offseason. The other part of this is to find out if ownership would let him break the budget.
Don’s Comments: I would just want to augment it by asking how the budget was presented. Was is $X and no more, or was he given a number and told more could be available later.
Don’s Question: Lots of speculation about trading MacKenzie Gore. Some are convinced you will trade him this winter; others saying maybe the trading deadline. Do you plan to try and extend him and if that fails, do you think his return at the deadline will be better because he will find his extra gear?
Steve’s Comments: I like that question. I would gamble on July 31 because if you get Gore to elite, the market could be better.
Andrew’s Comments: Supply and demand will be a key. A tough call. You listen to any team willing to overpay. MLB Trade Rumors covered this in a recent chat and said the cost for Gore is 2 Top-100 prospects. With the 2027 season a question mark, sell high.
Second Question
Andrew’s Question: Do you plan on extending any of your current players like James Wood or Daylen Lile?
Don’s Comments: I would think that Daylen Lile and CJ Abrams would be on that list. Abrams as part of the move to 2B. Wood is likely the only Boras client who is even remotely possible given he’s local. Maybe Brad Lord if he is as good in 2026.
Steve’s Comments: Nobody has asked Toboni on his thoughts on extensions.
Don’s Question: Are you pursuing getting that veteran leader via a salary dump trade? Someone with 2-3 years left at a not outrageous price. Clearly guys with no-trade rights (e.g., Nolan Arenado and Giancarlo Stanton) likely won’t approve a trade to the Nats.
Andrew’s Comments: Arenado could work because he has a defensive position. Give him 3rd base and move House to 1st base.
Steve’s Comments: I’d love to hear TBone answer that question.
Steves’s Question: You’ve sidestepped questions on spending. I will ask straight up a different twist on it, are you authorized to do a long-term deal?
Andrew’s Comments: Good question.
Don’s Comments: Indeed it is a great question. And I would say, per Zim’s recent comment, anything more than 2 years qualifies.
Third Question
Don’s Question: Is Elijah Green fixable so he could be at least a fourth OFer. If not, when do you plan to tell him to play linebacker in the SEC.
Andrew’s Comments: Watching the Rule-5 player from the 2022 1st round bot get protected, I think Green is eligible next year.
Steve’s Comments: I think Elijah would be a wide receiver 😉
Steve’s Question: Paul, do you cut Keibert Ruiz if he isn’t in your Top-2 of catchers?
Andrew’s Comments: Toboni didn’t trade or extend Ruiz and for that reason he has no personal stake in him.
Don’s Comments: I agree Andrew. Personally I am simply hoping better coaching and not letting Ruiz decide when he plays is going to make him top 2.
Andrew’s Question: You mentioned Alex Bregman as your team leader with the Red Sox. He is a free agent now. Do you go aggressively after him in free agency?
Steve’s Comments: Sign me up for Realmuto or Bregman.
Don’s Comments: I’d love either of them. But I think the veteran leader is either someone else (a surprise) or 2027.
The Poll
Pick your favorite questions. You can make up to three selections. Then weigh in with your questions in the comments.
Don Bonus Question
Your last name suggests the possibility of Southern Italian/Sicilian heritage, so I have to ask if you have found your go-to Italian Deli? I assume you had one in Boston!
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