Nats sign veteran infielder DeJong for $1 million (updated)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals’ search for more power has landed on a former All-Star shortstop who will now be asked to play third base in D.C.

The Nats signed Paul DeJong to a one-year, $1 million contract this morning, adding the veteran infielder to a roster lacking in experience and proven home run power. The 31-year-old passed his physical and settled into a new clubhouse, where he now resides in between veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and young shortstop CJ Abrams.

"This was the best offer I had, and I'm happy for this offer," he said. "This worked out great for me. Honestly, I think this is a great team for me to be on right now. A lot of great, young talent. I know a few guys in camp already, so it's not too unfamiliar to me. And being a local guy, living in (nearby) Jupiter, it makes it nice. I can just transition right into this first day."

Needing to clear space for DeJong on the 40-man roster, the Nationals placed right-hander Josiah Gray on the 60-day injured list. Gray isn't expected to return from last summer's Tommy John surgery until late this season.

A Rookie of the Year finalist in 2017 and an All-Star in 2019 with the Cardinals, DeJong has spent the last two seasons bouncing between five different organizations. He spent last year with the White Sox and Royals, hitting 24 homers with a .703 OPS but struggling to make contact, as evidenced by his .227 batting average, .276 on-base percentage, 156 strikeouts and 23 walks in 482 plate appearances.

"I was slugging well, (but) my plate discipline kind of got a little out of whack," he said. "So for me, I'm going to try to reel in my plate discipline while still maintaining my effortless power. It wasn't like I was trying to hit home runs. It was more of a result of getting the pitches I could hit, and putting my swing on it. Now, it's more about I need to get on base. I realize it's not just about swinging and hitting for power."

Nevertheless, that power stroke was intriguing enough for the Nationals to make him a modest, guaranteed offer one week into spring training and lure him to West Palm Beach.

The Nats ranked last in the National League with only 135 homers last season, and Abrams led the club with only 20. They’ve made power a point of emphasis throughout the offseason, trading for Lowe (who averaged 20 homers the last four seasons with the Rangers) and signing designated hitter Josh Bell (who averaged 21 homers the last four seasons with five teams).

Now they add DeJong to the mix.

"The biggest thing was, he's a right-handed bat that can hit the ball out of the ballpark for us," manager Davey Martinez said. "I like the fact we've got a couple options now against lefties. We can do some things."

The Nationals wanted DeJong for his bat. They'll hope he's ready to make the full-time switch to a position he only recently began playing in the majors.

With Abrams locked into the everyday shortstop job, DeJong is destined to see most of his playing time at third base, which has been one of the Nationals’ most unsettled positions for years since Anthony Rendon left via free agency.

Primarily a shortstop throughout the first seven seasons of his big league career, DeJong played 41 games at third base last season with both the White Sox and Royals, finishing with 1 Defensive Run Saved and only three errors. 

"Honestly, I really liked it," he said. "I felt OK. I felt like I could handle it. I played third base in the minor leagues before I got to the big leagues, so it's not too far off. I'm excited to take more reps over there."

Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo have no shortage of options at the hot corner now. DeJong could be a right-handed complement to the left-handed-hitting José Tena. Trey Lipscomb returns after taking 211 plate appearances as a rookie last season. Veteran Amed Rosario was also signed for $2 million this winter, though he is expected to serve in more of a utility role, playing multiple positions.

And then there are three prospects in major league camp knocking on the door, with 2021 first-round pick Brady House at the top of the list and Yohandy Morales and Cayden Wallace also trying to establish themselves as long-term options.

Assuming both DeJong and Rosario make the Opening Day roster, the Nationals would then likely have only one remaining spot available to one of four infielders who finished the 2024 season with them: Tena, Juan Yepez, Andrés Chaparro and Nasim Nuñez.

There are, of course, still five weeks to sort all that out. For now, the Nationals are pleased to have another experienced power bat joining a lineup in need of just that.

"We talked, and I know he wanted to be here," Martinez said. "He thought this was a great fit for him. We felt the same thing. I'm excited to go see him play."