World Series champ returns to Washington
Jessica Camerato
@jessicacameratoThis story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato's Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Three seasons, two Major League teams and one independent ball stint later, Matt Adams has returned to the Nationals¡¯ organization.
¡°I wanted to keep playing, and I still feel like I¡¯ve got a lot left in the tank,¡± Adams said in an interview with MLB Network Radio. ¡°[I] want to keep going until I can¡¯t go no more.¡±
The lefty-hitting veteran first baseman signed a Minor League contract with Washington last week. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.
Adams, 34, played for the Nats from 2018-19. He appeared in 205 games and slashed .240/.302/.485 with a .786 OPS, 79 runs scored, 23 doubles, 38 home runs and 104 RBIs.
¡°I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to be back with the @nationals organization. I¡¯m blessed to be able to play the game I love. #natitude,¡± Adams posted on his social media.
After winning the 2019 World Series with Washington, Adams signed a Minor League deal with the Mets in January 2020. He was released in July after the season resumed, and he signed a Minors contract with the Braves shortly thereafter. Adams took the field in 16 games for Atlanta, while also being sidelined on the 10-day injured list. He was designated for assignment at the end of August and released by the Braves on Sept. 3, 2020.
The following season, Adams inked a deal with the Rockies. Between two IL stints and a rehab assignment, he played in 22 games. He made his last Major League appearance on July 24, 2021, and he was released by Colorado three days later.
¡°Obviously, I¡¯m a competitor, and I was kind of bummed that I didn¡¯t get anything after the 2021 season,¡± Adams said. ¡°But the way that I think, I knew that -- for whatever reason -- this is going to be my path, it¡¯s going to be my story, I¡¯m going to own it.¡±
Adams¡¯ baseball journey took him back to where he began his Major League career when he signed on to play independent ball with the Kansas City Monarchs last year. (He was drafted by the Cardinals in 2009 and played parts of seven seasons in St. Louis.) Adams slashed .248/.327/.554 with an .881 OPS. He tallied 63 runs scored, 18 doubles, 27 homers and 85 RBIs in 80 games.
¡°[I] didn¡¯t really have too much insight on what to expect and all that going into independent ball for the first time,¡± he said. ¡°But it allowed me to really look at baseball differently, and it allowed me to fall back in love with the game of baseball for the same reasons why I fell in love with the game in the first place, and just put the business side of the game on the back burner and just really focus [on] going out there each day playing and having fun with my teammates.¡±
When camp opens and Adams competes to earn a spot on the Major League roster, he will vie for playing time at first base behind Joey Meneses. Adams has played the majority of his 10-year Major League career at the position, including 71 starts on the 2019 title team. He also has 35 games of experience in the outfield and could be an option to DH when needed.
¡°Got the deal done, and now I can just focus on my training and making sure I¡¯m ready to hit the ground running once spring starts,¡± Adams said.
If Adams makes the team, he could have to make a uniform number change. The No. 15 jersey he previously donned in Washington currently is worn by another Adams -- catcher Riley.