Eric Thames Signs with the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have made five roster moves since the end of last week, with the latest coming Monday evening when they agreed to a one-year deal with first baseman Eric Thames. The contract is pending a physical, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, but would pay Thames $3 million in 2020 with a $1 million mutual option for 2021.
Thames, 33, hit 25 home runs in 459 plate appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers this past season. He fills the Nationals’ need for a left-handed-hitting first baseman, a role held by Matt Adams in 2019. Washington is in the process of addressing first base by committee, and it is still expected to explore a short-term deal with 35-year-old Ryan Zimmerman, who has been with the organization since 2005.
The Thames deal comes after the Nationals signed reliever Will Harris on Thursday and agreed to terms with infielder Starlin Castro, infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera and reliever Daniel Hudson in the following days. Hudson and the Nationals agreed on a two-year, $11 million deal Monday afternoon, just hours before the Thames news circulated. Thames made 89 starts at first base for the Brewers last season, and he moonlit with 12 appearances in right field. He also smacked a solo homer off Max Scherzer in the National League wild-card game.