The Washington Nationals interviewed Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero as part of their search for a top front-office executive to replace Mike Rizzo, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Brittany Ghiroli.

Washington has also spoken with Paul Toboni, another Red Sox assistant GM, but Toboni could reportedly earn an internal promotion to GM while working under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.

Romero first joined Boston in 2006 as an assistant in the scouting department. He climbed the ladder over time and assumed his current title in November 2018. He remained in the front office following Chaim Bloom’s firing in September 2023 and Breslow’s hiring that October.

Rosenthal and Ghiroli reported the Nationals are casting a wide net.

Mike DeBartolo, Washington’s interim general manager, could take over full-time. Outside candidates include Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye, Los Angeles Dodgers senior vice president Josh Byrnes and Cleveland Guardians assistant GM Matt Forman.

The Nationals cleaned house this past July, firing both Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez.

Rizzo helped turn Washington into a steady contender, culminating in a 2019 World Series title. The franchise has been stuck in a perpetual rebuild ever since that triumph, though. The Nats slumped to a 62-91 finish in 2025 and were last in the National League East for the fifth time in sixth seasons.

Thanks to the Juan Soto trade in 2022, Rizzo may have at least set the table for his successor.

MacKenzie Gore was an All-Star for the first time this year. Even if the southpaw is traded before he’s eligible for free agency in 2028, that would help to replenish a farm system in need of top-end talent.

Second-year outfielder James Wood was also an All-Star, finishing 2025 with 27 homers, 89 RBI and a .256/.351/.464 slash line. Shortstop CJ Abrams had a career-high .753 OPS and is still just 24.

The scale of the Nats’ next rebuild and the lingering questions over ownership might scare off some candidates. Others will relish the challenge and the influence that would come with being the top decision-maker in the front office.