Nationals agree to terms with Kurt Suzuki

By Doug Miller

Nationals

November 20, 2018, 8:09am

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The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with catcher Kurt Suzuki on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Suzuki, 35, joins the Nationals after hitting .271 with 24 doubles, 12 home runs, 50 RBI, 22 walks, and 45 runs scored in 105 games for the Atlanta Braves in 2018. Suzuki posted a .485 slugging percentage and an .825 OPS in two seasons in Atlanta - the best marks among Major League catchers during that span - while his .276 batting average the last two seasons was good for fourth among Major League backstops.

Among active catchers, Suzuki ranks in doubles (3rd, 264), games played (4th, 1,394), extra-base hits (5th, 384), RBI (5th, 619), batting average (7th, .258) and home runs (9th, 114).

Suzuki was acquired by the Nationals during the 2012 season and went on to hit .267 with five doubles, five home runs, 25 RBI, 11 walks and 17 runs scored in 43 games as the Nationals went on to claim the 2012 National League East Division championship.

In 1,394 games spanning 12 Major League seasons, Suzuki has hit .258 with 264 doubles, six triples, 114 home runs, 619 RBI, 19 stolen bases 329 walks and 515 runs scored.

Washington's 40-man roster is now at 37 players.