The Nationals announced today that they have declined their side of a $4MM mutual option on first baseman Matt Adams. He’ll instead receive a $1MM buyout and head back onto the open market.
While it’s still possible Adams could return again to D.C., perhaps it’s likelier he’ll move along elsewhere after a disappointing campaign. While he put in a solid early showing this year, Adams faded to a .217/.277/.406 line with sixty strikeouts over his final 155 plate appearances on the year.
At his best, Adams is a well-above-average hitter against right-handed pitching. But the 31-year-old has never enjoyed sustained productivity when facing southpaws and is likely only a candidate for platoon/pinch-hitting duties.
It remains to be seen what direction the Nats will take at first base following their epic finish to the 2019 campaign. Ryan Zimmerman could return on a lesser deal once his option is formally declined, with Adams or another lefty bat joining the roster to share time. Or Zimmerman could hang up his spikes after the thrill of finally raising a trophy, in which case the D.C. organization could go in any number of different directions.
Thanks for being bring the title to DC Big City
so… for 3 million more we could have brought back the guy that hit 20 bombs from the left side in a part time role?
gonna wait and see how this turns out. i have a few ideas….. but i’m willing to wait
Bro, Freddy Galvis hit 23 home runs this year.
Did anyone NOT hit 20 homers last year?
Congrats the the entire Expos organization!
Man, I dont think I’m will play full time 1st base. So nats will need a lefty 1B, 3rd to try to place Rendon. possible 2B if Keiboom isnt ready, a closer….and probably a replacement for Strasburg.
I dont know how “i dont think Zimmerman can play full time” turned into “I’m will”.
All six people who played second and first for the Nats are moving on.
*Rays sign Matt Adams*
You beat me to it. He’ll sign a minor league deal one year deal and have a bounce back year as DH. The Rays way and who’s to argue.
Man, they haven’t even had the parade yet. Let the guy have a moment
They’re given a certain amount of days after the season ends when they need to make a decision. Knowing Strasbourg’s opt out is noon tomorrow, 2 hours before the parade, the deadline was likely similar and could’ve simply been by end of day today.
Mariners should be all over him to split time with Nola until White is ready than move Adams to a contender at or close to the deadline
Nats should save money, sign the underrated Moose, make sure they keep Strasburg and amke another run for next year!
Damn, couldn’t wait till after the parade?
Best guess is Matt’s gone. My other predictions are that Stras and Kendrick both return too. Stras will opt out but will resign adding 2-3 more years onto his existing contract. Kendrick will come back on a 1-2 year contract with AAV in the $5-6m range. Zim’s $18m team option will he declined but he’ll also resign for something like $1m (he’s already due $2m buyout on his option so essentially would make $3m next year); he’s already said he’d likely retire if he doesn’t play for the Nats next year. Wildcard is Rendon. He’s said he wants to continue playing in DC, just hope the Nats are able to meet his asking price. Nats had a logical replacement for Harper in Robles; they don’t have anyone anywhere close to replacing Rendon. My guess is Kieboom steps in as the everyday 2B next year. Platoon at first with Howie and Zim and Howie can also play some 2B. No idea what we’ll do with our pen, but hoping Elias can be a factor, Strickland can be useful (in any capacity) but expect that Rainey will take a bigger role likely setting up Doo.
Agree with most. Zimmerman has stated that he will not play for league minimum so I think he will get $3-4 million on top of the buyout to return. Rendon is a Boras client so I will think he will sign with the highest bidder in March just like the rest of the Boras group. The Nationals May be forced to move on before then. Just to add, I think Cabrera is gone and the team will buy out Gomes as he is not worth $9 million to the team when Scherzer, Strasburg, and Sanchez prefer to work with Suzuki.
Kurt had a 0.4 WAR in 2018, with 280 AB’s in 85 games.
He no longer can catch full-time. He has to share the catching duties with someone. If not Gomes, then another Catcher.
Kurt’s body is falling apart before our eyes, and Corbin loves him some Gomes.
Agreed that Suzuki can not catch 162 games. They need someone to split the duties. It just won’t be Gomes at $9 million. They may bring him back for less $$ or shop the market.
Strasburg and Rendon are probably an either/or at this point.
Stras prob doesn’t need much more per year… will just want to tack on a couple more years at the end, for roughly same AAV.
I don’t like this at all.
Nats need another 1B, preferably left-handed bat. Zim and Kendrick (if he re-signs) will play 162 between them and they’d have to be really lucky to have their injuries not overlap.
Adams does well with regular playing time. Hopefully he can find that with another squad.
I don’t think Zimmerman is far enough removed from being productive to hang it up quite yet, and it’s not like the Nats have all these way better players dying to soak up platoon at bats at 1B.
I’d guess the Nats bring him back for a couple of years.