In a dazzling coup, the Washington Nationals have landed Paul Toboni, the 35-year-old phenom from the Boston Red Sox, to lead their baseball operations. The move, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, marks a transformative movement for the Nationals. Toboni’s vibrant leadership and razor-sharp scouting insight promise to electrify Washington’s pursuit of building a World Series contender.
Nationals Bring On Paul Toboni as Head of Baseball Operations
BREAKING: The Washington Nationals are finalizing a deal to name Paul Toboni their new head of baseball operations, sources tell ESPN. Toboni, 35, rose rapidly to become assistant GM for the Boston Red Sox and is widely regarded as one of the best young executives in MLB.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 24, 2025
A Meteoric Rise Through Boston’s Ranks
Toboni, a former Cal infielder, joined the Red Sox as an intern in 2015 after a brief Athletics stint. By 2020, he took charge of the club’s amateur drafts. In January 2024, the Red Sox promoted Toboni to Assistant General Manager. His relentless drive and sharp talent-spotting skills fueled his rapid ascent. Toboni masterminded drafts that uncovered rising stars like Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, Hunter Dobbins, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle. “Paul’s scouting instincts are pure magic,” said former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.
A Dynamic Force in Player Development
Toboni’s role expanded to oversee player development across all levels, including the major league roster, where his bold vision shaped key transactions. Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised him, saying to MassLive.com, “Ultra-aggressive with his ideas…He’s a soundboard to a lot of people in the front office.” Consequently, Toboni emerged as a top candidate to become Breslow’s general manager, highlighting his critical role in Boston’s elite prospect pipeline.
A Stinging Loss for Boston
Toboni’s departure deals a sharp blow to the Red Sox, who now face the task of replacing a visionary leader. His exit follows a trend of Boston’s brain trust scattering across MLB, with figures like Mike Hazen, Jed Hoyer, Chaim Bloom, and Dave Dombrowski leading franchises. Nevertheless, Boston will seek a new No. 2 executive this offseason to work alongside assistant general manager Eddie Romero.
I don’t care too much about losing Paul Toboni, i just care about who replaces him
— Justin (@JustinMLB) September 24, 2025
Nationals Seize a Game-Changer
For the Nationals, Toboni’s arrival signals a new era. He outshone Romero in interviews, earning a role to reshape Washington’s roster and farm system with broad authority. Toboni’s blend of analytics and instinct suits a franchise eager to rebuild its competitive edge. As new blood steps into Nationals Park, Toboni’s infectious energy and sharp intellect promise to redefine the franchise. The prospects he identified and developed in Boston stand as a testament to his skill. Toboni’s arrival is a vibrant opportunity to craft a contender under a rising star’s guidance.
The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier gave G&D an idea of what the Nationals are getting by hiring Paul Toboni to head baseball ops. pic.twitter.com/wvj80qdq6f
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) September 24, 2025
Main Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
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