The Nationals announced they’ve signed second baseman César Hernández to a one-year contract. It’s reportedly a $4MM guarantee for the Octagon client that contains an additional $1MM in available incentives.
Hernández returns to the NL East, where he spent the bulk of his career with the Phillies. The switch-hitting infielder broke into the majors in 2013, taking hold of the Phils’ regular second base job by 2015. He spent the next five seasons as a solid regular. Hernández didn’t bring a ton of power to the table, but he drew plenty of walks, put the ball in play and rated as a plus defender at the keystone.
Philadelphia was happy to keep Hernández for the early stages of his career, but they non-tendered him after the 2019 campaign as his arbitration salaries escalated. The Venezuela native signed with Cleveland that offseason, hitting at a solid .283/.355/.408 clip in the shortened season. They brought Hernández back last winter, and he continued to produce — albeit in a completely different manner than he had previously.
Over 420 plate appearances, Hernández popped a career-best 18 homers. But he also saw his batting average fall to a personal-low .231 as he became more fly-ball oriented. That led to a corresponding drop in on-base percentage, although his power uptick kept his overall numbers right around league average. The White Sox acquired Hernández at the trade deadline in the wake of Nick Madrigal’s season-ending hamstring injury, hoping he’d solidify the keystone for the stretch run.
That proved not to be the case, as Hernández sputtered to a .232/.309/.299 line with only three homers in 217 trips to the plate with Chicago. Given those struggles, it’s not surprising the Sox elected to decline his $6MM club option and look elsewhere at the position this winter.
Hernández won’t quite match that salary on his deal with the Nats, but he has a chance to come fairly close if he maxes out all the incentives. He’ll offer some short-term veteran stability to a Washington infield that also features Josh Bell at first base and Alcides Escobar, Carter Kieboom and Luis García around the diamond. The 21-year-old García had been pencilled in as the regular at second base. With the Nats retooling, it’s unlikely they’ll cut into his playing time. García has ample minor league experience at shortstop and could conceivably kick back across the bag to accommodate Hernández while relegating Escobar to a utility role.
Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post was first to report the Nationals’ interest in Hernández. Jon Heyman of the MLB Network first reported the contract terms.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
What happened to Alcides Escobar? He seemed to have a nice comeback last year.
Currently a Washington National
Escobar was re-signed shortly after the season ended.
depth
My question was rhetorical, in the second half of season Alcides played well and is cheap, Cesar had a weak season and costs more.
Its almost like they play different positions and Alcides Escobar was horrible or out of MLB the 5 years prior to 2021 and Hernandez is a 2-3 WAR player every year..
Hernandez seems like pretty much a career replacement player, who did garner a Gold Glove with Cleveland in 2020 at second. Not sure what this means for Garcia but it doesn’t necessarily bode well.
Perhaps Rizzo senses something of a bargain stop-gap who will be flippable at the deadline. It will be interesting to learn what he sees in this acquisition. I don’t remember him much from his long association with the Phillies.
Garcia is 21.. He will get every opportunity.. This signals he likely gets more time at SS next season..
Great deal for the Nats low risk possible high return for 1 season. Hopefully his 2nd half results with the CWS was just bad luck.
good get. im sure he’ll walk the Phillies off at least once.
If he is league averge for $4m, that’s a good deal. Team isn’t likley contending for anything next season so narm harm in bringing in some guys to fill some holes on 1yr deals.
He was a disappointment with the White Sox.
Garcia doesnt have the arm for short, we still need a SS
You still have Escobar.
I like this signing for Washington. Starlin Castro did nothing for two years there.
Good luck!
That Washington infield is soooo bad.
If he is closer to Cle then Chi it will be money well spent. If not it was worth the gamble.
MISSED IT BY THAT [ = ] MUCH !!
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on CesarHernandez right up until he signed the deal to join the Nationals.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Nationals’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
The Minnesota Twins had also been linked to Hernandez.
Luis Garcia still needs to improve defensively and could use more AAA time to develop. Escobar can handle SS, but Rizzo still needs to do something about 3B. Kieboom just isn’t the answer.
Wow okay and that’s plan D or E or whatever for the White Sox 2nd base plans out the window so I’m guessing it’s either Taylor, trade or use whatever’s on the roster. Hoping it’s option 2 and that they can at least get someone like Segura. Hopefully someone better. Decent signing by the Nats. He underperformed on the Sox but he was pretty solid before that.