The Nationals introduced that third baseman Nick Senzel has been designated for task. Infielder Trey Lipscomb was known as again up from Triple-A Rochester within the corresponding transfer.
It’s the second time this week that the Nats have DFA’ed one in all their veteran pickups from the offseason, as Eddie Rosario was designated and subsequently launched (after which rapidly signed by the Braves, his former group). Rosario’s minor league deal carried a $2M base wage as soon as he was chosen to the Nationals’ energetic roster, and likewise, Senzel signed a assured one-year, $2M contract with Washington over the winter. If Senzel isn’t claimed or traded throughout his DFA interval after which launched, the Nationals might be answerable for the roughly $950K nonetheless owed to Senzel, aside from the prorated minimal MLB wage that will be coated by a brand new group if Senzel indicators elsewhere.
The monetary factor of this transfer might be secondary to the bigger-aspect of the Nationals pulling the wire early on a veteran participant somewhat than seeking to transfer Senzel in a commerce nearer to the deadline. As with Rosario, it looks as if Washington simply opted to maneuver on completely since Senzel wasn’t producing sufficient to generate a lot commerce curiosity. Senzel has hit .209/.303/.359 with seven dwelling runs over 235 plate appearances, translating to a below-average 90 wRC+. Aside from a wonderful 11.5% stroll fee, Senzel wasn’t bringing a lot to the desk both offensively or defensively because the Nats’ common third baseman, and he had solely 0.1 fWAR over 64 video games.
As has typically been the case for Senzel, well being was an element. He suffered a fractured thumb proper on the finish of spring coaching that required a season-opening stint on the 10-day injured record, and although the fracture was slight sufficient that he missed lower than three weeks of motion, it’s simple to think about how any sort of lingering thumb discomfort would possibly’ve impacted Senzel’s efficiency on the plate.
That is basically the story of Senzel’s profession, as a variety of accidents has stored him off the sphere for lengthy stretches of time, to say nothing of how his ceiling as a expertise has been lowered. Chosen second total by the Reds within the 2016 draft, Senzel battled accidents and a lot of place modifications over his first 5 MLB seasons, and he hit solely .239/.302/.369 in 1366 PA for Cincinnati from 2019-23. The Reds then non-tendered him final fall, sending Senzel to free company and for what he hoped was a welcome change of surroundings in Washington.
Whereas the Nationals’ 41-47 report nonetheless places them on the outskirts of the NL wild-card race, 2024 was all the time seen as one other step within the group’s rebuilding course of, because the Nats had been searching for extra growth from their kids already on the energetic roster and people simply on their manner into the Present for the primary time. Star outfield prospect James Wooden made his MLB debut this previous week within the wake of Rosario’s departure, Victor Robles’ launch final month created extra time for Jacob Younger because the common middle fielder, Joey Meneses was optioned to Triple-A to make extra room for Juan Yepez at first base. Lipscomb must be the favourite for the third base job with Senzel out, however prime prospect Brady Home is the group’s longer-term third baseman of the longer term.
Impending free brokers Jesse Winker and Dylan Floro stay as two of the Nationals’ likeliest veteran commerce chips heading into the July 30 deadline. Such gamers as outfielder Lane Thomas and relievers Hunter Harvey and Kyle Finnegan have additionally reportedly drawn curiosity, and whereas that trio is all arbitration-controlled via the 2025 marketing campaign, one would picture the Nats can be open to listening to provides as they appear towards reinforcing their core.
