Matt Wieters and Washington Nationals agree to terms
After a drawn-out free agency, All-Star catcher Matt Wieters is staying in the mid-Atlantic, signing with the Washington Nationals.
After spending the first eight years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, Matt Wieters will be making the short trip down I-295 to play for the Washington Nationals. Momentum had been building toward a deal over the past week, and it was reported today that Wieters and the Nationals have agreed to a two-year deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was first to report the finalized terms of the deal.
Source: Wieters with #Nationals is two years, $21M, with opt-out after year one. Will get $10M in 2017, $11M if he returns in ’18.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 21, 2017
The Nats had been courting Wieters even after trading for 2014 All-Star Derek Norris earlier in the offseason. Norris could now become a trade chip for the Nationals who could use help in their bullpen. Washington is still without an established closer entering the season.
It took longer than expected for Wieters to find a home despite his status as a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover. In recent years, his offensive production has declined, along with a noticeable drop in pitch framing and blocking behind the plate. Wieters missed most of the 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. With the Nationals and their top-rate pitching staff, having a catcher who cannot buy an extra few strikes a game may not make much difference.
Washington is a good fit for Wieters, and the contract amounts to a pillow deal. At 30, the former top prospect is still waiting for a breakout offensive season. Hitting in a lineup that includes Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Adam Eaton, and Trea Turner could help Wieters boost his numbers. In two seasons since returning from the elbow surgery, the switch-hitter has batted just .253/.309/.414 with 25 home runs and 91 RBI in 199 games and 681 at-bats.
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The comparisons to Joe Mauer that Wieters drew coming out of Georgia Tech never materialized in the big leagues. Not necessarily a disappointment, because his numbers still rate above-average for a catcher, Wieters failed to live up to the massive hype in Baltimore. One good season with the Nationals could help him finally reel in that long-term deal that agent Scott Boras has been unable to produce so far.