DeJong (24 HR in 2024) to Nats on 1-year deal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationals have added a versatile infielder with some pop, agreeing with Paul DeJong on a one-year, $1 million free-agent deal on Sunday. The deal includes $600,000 in incentives, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

Right-hander Josiah Gray, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was moved to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

¡°It came together quickly,¡± DeJong said Sunday morning. ¡°I thought at the beginning of my offseason that this might be a good team that I could fit into. Me being local [to Jupiter, Fla.] helped, too. A lot of positives here.¡±

The 31-year-old DeJong has struggled to recapture the offensive success from early in his career with the Cardinals, but the veteran is coming off a 24-homer season between the White Sox and Royals. The Nationals finished last in the NL in home runs (135) and second to last in slugging percentage (.375) last season.

¡°The biggest thing was, he¡¯s a right-handed bat that can hit the ball out of the ballpark for us,¡± said manager Dave Martinez. ¡°I like the fact that we¡¯ve got some options now against lefties as well.¡±

DeJong burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting .285 with 25 home runs and an .857 OPS on his way to finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year Award voting behind Cody Bellinger. DeJong followed that up with a solid 2018 campaign before hitting a career-best 30 homers in '19, when he earned his lone All-Star selection.

Over the next three seasons from 2020-22, DeJong hit just .196 with a .631 OPS. Those struggles continued in '23 (.709 OPS in 81 games with the Cards) before he was traded to the Blue Jays at the Trade Deadline. He was released by Toronto three weeks later, and though he quickly signed with the Giants, he was again released after a month.

Looking to get back on track, DeJong signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the White Sox prior to the 2024 season. He hit 18 home runs over 102 games for Chicago, prompting the Royals to acquire him for their postseason push. DeJong added six more homers over 37 games in Kansas City, finishing with a .227/.276/.427 slash line and 24 homers across 139 games.

¡°I got rid of some of my no-stride swing mechanics,¡± DeJong said. ¡°I went back to more of the leg kick, natural mechanic last year. But a lot of times, I was a little swing-heavy just because I was slugging well, so my plate discipline got a little bit out of whack. ... Now, it¡¯s more about, 'OK, I need to get on base and realize that it¡¯s not just about swinging and hitting for power.'¡±

Defensively, DeJong can play shortstop and third base. Last season, he shifted to the hot corner, where he made 38 starts and logged 328 1/3 innings with a .970 fielding percentage.

DeJong is likely to share playing time with lefty-hitting Jos¨¦ Tena at third base and back up CJ Abrams at shortstop.

¡°I was looking at Paul¡¯s splits, and he really hits righties well,¡± Martinez said. ¡°If he¡¯s hitting the ball well, he¡¯s going to get a chance to play. With that being said, we also want to play Tena. So we¡¯ll see how that all plays out this spring.¡±

The Nationals signed veteran utility infielder Amed Rosario to a one-year deal this winter. They have developing depth at the position, too. Top third-base prospect Brady House (Nats¡¯ No. 3 prospect in 2024) is projected to debut this season. Cayden Wallace (No. 11) and Yohandy Morales (No. 9) also are on the horizon.

¡°The best thing about right now is, there¡¯s opportunity,¡± said Martinez.