Wieters exercises $10.5 million option, will return to Nationals

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

November 05, 2017, 5:19am

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Matt Wieters will remain with the Nationals for a second season.

The veteran catcher has exercised his $10.5 million player option, a source familiar with the decision confirmed, ensuring he'll remain a member of the Nationals for 2018 on the heels of a disappointing debut season in Washington.

Wieters' decision, which had to be made over the weekend, had become expected in recent weeks. When he initially signed with the Nationals a week into spring training, he was hoping to re-establish his value with a strong season and then decline the option so he could become a free agent and procure a better contract.

But Wieters' value dropped as he struggled over the course of the season. He finished with career-lows in batting average (.225) and slugging percentage (.344), and his .632 OPS was fourth-worst in the majors among those with at least 400 plate appearances.

The odds of Wieters securing more than the $10.5 million he was guaranteed with his player option were slim, thus the expected nature of his decision.

Over the coming months, the Nationals will need to decide whether to commit to Wieters as their starting catcher again in 2018 or whether they need to explore other options. Jose Lobaton, who served as their backup the last four seasons, is now a free agent and is unlikely to be re-signed. Prospects Pedro Severino and Raudy Read could push for more playing time.