[ad_1]
Kurt Suzuki, 35, played with the nationals in 2012 and 2013 before joining a division rival at the Braves. (Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post)
The Washington Nationals continued their offensive debut on Monday, tackling their crying need as a seasoned receiver by signing a two-year contract with Kurt Suzuki, 35, according to someone close to the situation. The agreement, pending a physical clash, would bring Suzuki back to the team he was playing for in 2012 and 2013.
Suzuki is a beloved presence in the club, he is respected for his ability to coach throws and manage a pitching staff. He was recently respected in Washington for the considerable damage he's inflicted on the Nationals as a member of the Atlanta Braves.
The veteran beat .271 with 12 homers in 105 games with Atlanta last season, but at his age, he probably can not be counted on as a full-time starter. Yet it is a proven option that gives depth to the nationals and reduces their desperation as they seek to add a type of "front line". If they want to find a platoon player to complete Suzuki, they can now find it and ensure increased offensive production after a year of minimal contribution. If they're still looking for a star-star, especially in the business market, they will no longer do it in a weak position, which can only contribute to their cause.
This decision is the latest in a series of quick successes orchestrated by baseball operations president Mike Rizzo, who is not intimidated by the pending status of Bryce Harper – and who is unwilling to submit to which could be a new slow season. He traded for reliever Kyle Barraclough a few days after the end of the regular season. He jumped on reliever Trevor Rosenthal a few days after the start of the freelance activity. Now, it is hitting the capture market first, a market that nationals will likely continue to monitor in the future.
Washington still has many needs to solve. The team must start throwing. He needs a first left-handed player to spell Ryan Zimmerman. The Nationals could use a man of proven utility, like Marwin Gonzalez. They can never have enough pencil help, which Rizzo has repeated many times.
But more than any other team of majors, the Nationals are in motion, they meet their needs whatever the machinations of an early market little dynamic. And at Suzuki, they respond to a need while adding a stabilizing influence to their club as well as a newly powerful offensive player. Suzuki has compiled a .825 OPS with the Braves over the last two years – against the same divisional competition he will face with the Nationals over the next two years.
Read more:
With the deadline of Rule 5 imminent, which prospects will the nationals protect?
Nationals need to start throwing. And Mike Rizzo keeps "all our ways open".
John Skipper explains DAZN's new MLB show
The only author who voted Max Scherzer in front of Jacob deGrom for Cy Young explains his vote
Kate Fagan leaves ESPN
[ad_2]
Source link
