The Nationals announced Thursday that they’ve re-signed infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison. It’s a one-year deal for the MSM Sports client. The deal starts with a $1MM base salary. Incentives beginning at 200 plate appearances could add as much as $250K to the total, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
Harrison was a two-time All-Star with the Pirates before entering this nomadic phase of his career, bouncing between the Tigers, Phillies, and Nats over the past two seasons. Harrison joined the Nats early in 2020 after the Phillies cut him loose before Opening Day. He quickly became a favorite of the coaching staff in DC for his versatility and clubhouse presence. Once Starlin Castro broke his wrist, Harrison’s responsibilities turned from veteran cheerleader to concrete on-field contributor. The 33-year-old slashed .278/.352/.418 across 91 plate appearances while splitting his time between second, third, and the outfield corners.
For the Nats, they secure someone that they view as a key piece of their bench in 2021 – a player with a skill set they highly value – at a very reasonable price. Harrison will provide security in backing up Castro, Luis Garcia, and Carter Kieboom between second and third, while also serving as a fifth outfielder of sorts. The Nats are potentially losing Asdrubal Cabrera from their infield mix and Adam Eaton from the outfield, and while they likely don’t want to promise those at-bats to Harrison, he does provide depth all around the diamond, which has been an area of need for the Nats in recent seasons.
Harrison fits the mold of a “Davey Martinez guy,” as a veteran with a positive attitude in the mold of Gerardo Parra, Kurt Suzuki, or Cabrera. Per MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato (via Twitter), Martinez said: “He’s fun to be around. He understands the game. He’s a true constant every single day. You never have to tell him to be ready. He’s always ready, no matter what. … For me, that’s what you want on this team. He fits in.”
Free agency has started?
You can resign your own players. He wasn’t a FA till season ends
Watch and learn pending MLB free agents. You aren’t going to get as much money thanks to COVID19 and lots of sports fans boycotting professional sports to kneeling etc.
Give it a rest, Sparky
2021 World Series return. Victory assured!
More seriously, a solid bench piece who can play multiple positions across the infield and outfield. That’ll be more key in 2021 when rosters recede back to 26 from the 28 they used this year.
And out of the 26, 13 will be the max for pitchers if I recall?
Yes.
Good for him. Great guy.
“The Nationals announced Thursday that… the Nationals have also announced the deal” I know, you just said they did!
But have the Nationals announced the deal?
I like the Nats locking him up for next season. Great locker room guy. Big fan of him all around.
I was really hoping he would be on the market for the Royals as a cheap fallback option with his 3B versatility. I am not sold on Franco like GM Moore is.
I’ve never been a fan of Harrison and when he told the Pirates to either build a winning roster or trade him that made me sour on him some more.
He’s just always came across as a guy who’s ego is a lot larger than his talent.
I agree the Pittsburgh years were a little Willie Mays Hayes in Major League 2. Although as you age, the experience gains. He has said things that were needed to be said, others not. He has stood by his words though.
Versatility and in his prime years bat at 2B, was nice to have. Pirates missed out on cashing in on him before the gradual downfall.
You don’t know the man at all..
Zero ego! When he left Pittsburgh.. he called the local homeless shelter.. he and his wife Gave their entire home and all its contents away.. for free!
Kendrick is uncertain for ’21, and who knows if Zimm is back. So Harrison will be a solid, welcome vet both on the field and in the clubhouse. Nice low risk deal for the Nats.
Great guy and his versatility is great to have. Good for him.
I’ve always liked Harrison’s game, and he seems to have a solid reputation among his peers. He shouldn’t be a building block, but he’s a help to just about any roster.
Another former Tiger great.
I’m thinking we may see a lot of this early in the off-season. Free agency is not where you want to be right now
Seems like a low risk deal. Can’t complain too much here if ur a gnats fan
I’ll always remember J-Hey getting out of a “pickle” versus the Mets at PNC. What an amazing effort on his part. I loved that my young fastpitch softball playing daughter saw that example of giving it your all!