Nats find new lefty first baseman in free agent Thames

The Nationals have found themselves this year's left-handed first baseman.

Eric Thames, who averaged 24 homers and an .848 OPS the last three seasons for the Brewers, has agreed to terms on a contract with the Nats that guarantees $4 million, a source familiar with the with deal confirmed.

Thames, who must pass a physical before the deal is official, will earn a $3 million salary this year, with a $1 million buyout of a mutual option for 2021 likely to be enacted after the season.

Thus the 33-year-old slugger becomes the latest to join the World Series champs, who have now signed five free agents in the last four days: Thames, Starlin Castro, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Will Harris and Daniel Hudson.

Thames also becomes the Nationals' latest left-handed first baseman, a revolving door position that in recent seasons has been held by Clint Robinson, Adam Lind and Matt Adams. Adams, who hit .240 with 38 homers and a .786 OPS for the Nats the last two seasons, had his 2020 option bought out for $1 million and remains a free agent.

As they did with those previous left-handed hitters, the Nationals will plan to pair Thames with a right-handed complement at first base. Ryan Zimmerman, the only man to play for the organization through each of its first 15 seasons in D.C., remains unsigned but the two sides continue to suggest they expect to come to agreement on a new contract for a salary far reduced from the $18 million he made last season.

Thames has experienced a long and winding career that began in 2011 with the Blue Jays, included a brief stop with the Mariners in 2012 and then shifted to South Korea for three seasons, during which time he re-invented himself as an elite power hitter.

The Brewers took a flyer on Thames in 2017 and he responded with a breakthrough season back home on American soil, clubbing 31 homers in only 551 plate appearances. He slumped in 2018 but rebounded last season to hit .247 with 25 homers, 61 RBIs, a .346 on-base percentage and .851 OPS over 459 plate appearances, but Milwaukee declined his $7.5 million option in November, making him a free agent.

Thames is a classic left-handed slugger with dramatic offensive splits. For his career, he has hit .254/.337/.497 against righties but only .197/.272/.376 against lefties.

He also has outfield experience, having played 131 big league games in left field and another 110 in right field.

The Athletic was first to report Thames' deal with the Nationals.