The Nationals signed infielder Adrian Sanchez and right-hander Victor Arano to minor league deals, with Sanchez’s deal inked earlier this month. Both moves were reported on the team’s official transactions feed at MLB.com.
2022 will mark Sanchez’s 15th season in the Nationals organization, as he joined the team as an international signing when he was just 16 years old. This long tenure has included big league action in four of the last five seasons, including 16 games with D.C. this past year. Sanchez has hit .262/.287/.328 over 204 career plate appearances as a big leaguer, and .267/.310/.363 over 4304 PA in the minors.
In re-signing the 31-year-old Sanchez, the Nationals return a familiar face to their depth chart, primarily in the infield. While Sanchez has played a smattering of games as a corner outfielder, the vast majority of his experience has come at second base, third base, and shortstop. He’ll get the opportunity to win a job during Spring Training, but probably unless an injury arises, Sanchez will spend the bulk of next season waiting in the wings at Triple-A Rochester.
Arano is a newcomer to Washington but not to the NL East, as the righty’s MLB resume consists of 74 2/3 innings out of the Phillies bullpen from 2017-19. Rotator cuff inflammation hampered Arano in 2018 and then an elbow surgery sidelined him for much of 2019, as he hasn’t appeared in a big league game since April 18, 2019. Arano was claimed off waivers by the Braves last offseason and he posted a 2.50 ERA over 36 innings for Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate but didn’t get another call to the Show. The Braves outrighted Arano off their 40-man in June.
Arano doesn’t turn 27 until February, and there could be some hidden-gem potential for the Nationals if Arano is healthy. When the right-hander was able to pitch, he was quite effective for the Phillies, posting a 2.65 ERA/3.38 SIERA over his 74 2/3 frames, with above-average strikeout (26.3%) and walk (7.6%) rates. At the cost just an invitation to Spring Training, there’s no risk for the Nats to see if Arano is again capable delivering such numbers.
Off-season complete!
Yes, yes, yes!
Is this the best Washington can come up with? Welcome to last place. The Mets look stellar compared to this
Ignorance is bliss apparently.
The Nationals, like the Mets and every other organization have to make moves that take care of not only the BIG club but also the minor league clubs as well.
Signing players to minor league deals is necessary when their current minor league deal is finished etc.
It doesn’t have a whole lot to do with what players they may or may not be signing at the major league level.
I guarantee you that Mike Rizzo will be making at minimum at least a few major league level player acquisitions.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.. A hard concept to grasp, apparently.
Arano has the potential to be a keeper.It is said every year that sometimes these very low cost moves turn out well,and the better GM’s can sense which ones to do.
Many posters on here though have never learned that and repeat the same tired phrases over and over again.
Happy Thanksgiving
You too bro!
I always laugh at the foolish comments that come with these types of signings. Bulking up your triple A depth and signing big free agents are in no way mutually exclusive.
Print the playoff tickets.