The Nationals have signed infielder Wilmer Difo to a one-year, $1MM contract, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Difo had been projected to earn $1.2MM in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
Difo, who was seen by some as a non-tender candidate, is evidently still viewed by the Nationals as a utility option off the bench. However, his signing doesn’t necessarily guarantee him a roster spot with the 2020 Nationals. To some degree, he represents insurance against the potential losses of Brian Dozier, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Howie Kendrick, all of whom are free-agent infielders who would slot in above Difo on the depth chart.
Notably, Difo is out of options, meaning that he’ll need to clear waivers before he can be demoted to the minor leagues.
Last year, Difo played in 43 games for the Nats, posting a .252/.315/.313 batting line. He’s hardly threatening with the bat, but he’s valued for his ability to capably play multiple positions. Although he was only used in the infield last year, he’s played all over the diamond throughout his career—everywhere but first base, pitcher, and catcher.
Good move for them
I don’t like Difo because he’s not widely known to be a fan of the well known bro-band Goo Goo Dolls. You can’t trust people like that.
I have no clue who this young man is, but good for him and his family…
Just why?
Because teams need bench players?
the actor?
Ronald Reagan?! The actor?! Ha! Then who’s Vice President? Jerry Lewis?
We’d be better off, if he was.
Say hi to your mom for me
Good glove who can play multiple positions, but a weak bat. Like the article says, he’s insurance for now. If Rizzo brings back Cabrera, Difo is expendable.
Not necessarily. Even if they sign Cabrera and use Kieboom at 3rd, that still leaves no bench IFers. Pretty much everyone in the IF walked at once.
I’m assuming that Rendon is at 3B (even tho it’s far from certain). Turner at SS and Zimmerman/backup at 1B. Cabrera or Kieboom at 2B. I also think Rizzo will look for a bench upgrade, moving Difo back to the MiLB (I don’t know his option status) or traded.
His option status is in the darned article.
He’s lucky they settled on $1m. If they went to arbitration at $800,000 and he went with anything over $1m, they would have won. Look at his numbers last year and career.. they might have been safe even under $800,000.