The Washington Nationals have named 31-year-old Ani Kilambi as the club’s next general manager, a move that follows the firing of longtime GM Mike Rizzo.
Background of Ani Kilambi
Ani Kilambi has been an assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Phillies since 2021. Prior to that, he spent more than five years with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nationals’ Recent Leadership Changes
Mike Rizzo served as the Nationals’ general manager from 2009 and became president of baseball operations in 2013. He was fired in July after the team entered its sixth consecutive losing season, along with manager Dave Martinez. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo oversaw the selection of 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 MLB amateur draft. Paul Toboni, 35, was hired in late September to run the organization and brought in manager Blake Butera.
Team Performance and Needs
Washington finished the 2025 season 66-96, placing 14th out of 15 clubs in the National League. The franchise needs significant talent and depth to rebuild its major-league roster and minor-league pipeline.
First Free-Agent Move
On Monday, the Nationals agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin for a $5.5 million, one-year contract, pending a successful physical. Griffin played in Japan for the past three seasons.
Key Takeaways
- Kilambi will replace Rizzo as general manager.
- The team finished 66-96 in 2025.
- Griffin was signed as the first free-agent deal under the new leadership.
With Kilambi’s arrival, the Nationals aim to revitalize their roster and compete for a winning season.
