Free agent first baseman Matt Adams has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Washington Nationals pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.
The deal is worth $4 million, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
This will be Adams’ second stint with the Nationals. He signed a one-year deal with the club last winter. He played 94 games, hitting .257/.332/.510 with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs before being traded in August to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations. He struggled to continue that hitting pace with the Cardinals, batting just .158/.200/.333 in 27 games in the final stretch of the season.
Now a free agent, Adams is set to return to the clubhouse he fit well with a season ago. He was a great fill-in the starting lineup at first base and in the outfield.
With first baseman Ryan Zimmerman prone to injury throughout his MLB career, having a capable backup like Adams is ideal for the Nationals if they are to have consistency at the plate with or without Zimmerman in the lineup.
Adams also gives the Nationals another slugger that may be much needed especially if Bryce Harper bolts in free agency. While waiting on Harper’s decision, Washington has been active at retooling its roster in hopes of returning back to the postseason after a disappointing 2018.
The Nationals have added catchers Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki as well as pitchers Patrick Corbin, Trevor Rosenthal, and Kyle Barraclough. According to reports, the Nationals are still looking to add a starting second baseman short-term. Additionally, they want to add another starting pitcher.
