Nationals Sign Reliever Matt Capps

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, reliever Matt Capps has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Nationals, pending a physical.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the deal is for $3.5 million for 2010, with a chance to make another $425,000 in performance bonuses. The performance incentives kick in at 40-65 games finished.

Capps has spent his entire five-year career with the Pirates, collecting 67 saves while posting a 3.61 ERA, but was non-tendered by Pittsburgh on Dec. 12.

Capps said he chose the the Nationals over the Cubs because general manager Mike Rizzo showed serious interest the moment he became a free agent. The possibility of being the Nats’ closer also weighed heavily in his decision.

The Mets had shown some interest, but not enough to compel them to make an offer.

The Nats have been very busy this off season…