According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX, the Nationals and Matt Wieters have agreed on a deal for two years and $21 million. The deal includes an opt-out clause after one year, with him making $10 million in 2017 and $11 million if he returns for 2018. According to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, the deal is agreed upon but is pending a physical.
Original Report – 10:15 am
According to a report by Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports, the Washington Nationals are closing in on a deal with free agent catcher Matt Wieters. The deal is reportedly for two years and also includes an option.
Wieters, 30, played in 124 games last season, hitting .243/.302/.409 with 17 doubles, 17 homers and 66 RBI. Overall, he would finish with an 87 OPS+ and an 88 wRC+ offensively, and his defense – particularly his pitch framing – was among the worst in baseball.
If he can return to the catcher he was before the injuries took a toll, he could give the Nats a nice boost offensively, but that’s a big if.
Earlier this offseason, the Nationals signed catcher Derek Norris.
