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 considered one of their veteran pickups from the offseason, as Eddie Rosario was designated and subsequently launched (after which quickly signed by the Braves, his former workforce). Rosario’s minor league deal carried a $2MM base wage as soon as he was chosen to the Nationals’ energetic roster, and likewise, Senzel signed a assured one-year, $2MM contract with Washington over the winter. If Senzel isn’t claimed or traded throughout his DFA interval after which launched, the Nationals will likely be liable for the roughly $950K nonetheless owed to Senzel, aside from the prorated minimal MLB wage that might be lined by a brand new workforce if Senzel indicators elsewhere.
The monetary aspect of at present’s transfer might be secondary to the bigger-aspect of the Nationals pulling the twine early on a veteran participant fairly than seeking to transfer Senzel in a commerce nearer to the deadline. As with Rosario, it looks like Washington simply opted to maneuver on solely since Senzel wasn’t producing sufficient to generate a lot commerce curiosity. Senzel has hit .209/.303/.359 with seven residence runs over 235 plate appearances, translating to a below-average 90 wRC+. Other than a wonderful 11.5% stroll charge, 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.
Extra to come back…
