Versatile Mike Carp could provide value off the bench

VIERA, Fla. - In January, general manager Mike Rizzo signed Mike Carp to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Carp appeared in 41 games in left field and 29 games at first base for Boston in 2013 and was an important utility option for the Red Sox during their run to a World Series championship. While splitting time mostly between left field and first base that year, Carp hit .296 with nine home runs, 43 RBIs and an .885 OPS.

However, his production submarined in 2014, when he managed just a .175 batting average with no homers and a .519 OPS over 149 plate appearances split between the Red Sox and Rangers. The 28-year-old has a career .254 batting average, 27 homers and 123 RBIs in 887 at-bats across six seasons with three clubs. Carp does provide an option as a left-handed bat coming off the bench should he make the roster this spring.

He said he mainly decided to accept the deal to come to camp with Washington after an offseason conversation with Nationals manager Matt Williams, who he previously played for in the Arizona Fall League.

"I talked to Matt (Williams) over the offseason, had a good conversation," Carp said. "They have a need for a left-handed bat, a bench guy, and that's what I do. So I'm just excited for the opportunity and hopefully go out there and go out to win a world championship. That's what it's all about. I think this team can do it."

The Nationals have a need for left-handed bats in their lineup and coming off the bench. Plus, new first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is coming off a season where hamstring injuries forced him to miss 101 games and left fielder Jayson Werth's status for opening day is unsure after shoulder surgery in January. All of these reasons present a favorable chance for Carp to make the team if he can regain his form from two years ago.

"Last year was just up and down. Never really got going," Carp said. "All this, opportunity to play, key factors into it, but then get hurt in the middle of it doesn't really help. Went over to Texas and kind of the same thing. Just never really got going. Just kind of a bummer of a year."

It seems Williams was less concerned about Carp's struggles last year and more focused on what he brought to the Red Sox in their 2013 world championship season.

"Well you look at two years ago with Carpy, the bat off the bench certainly was really good," Williams said. "He got a chance to play at first and play in left, so he can do both of those. That's a plus for him. But it's a steady left-handed bat regardless of whether it's a start or a pinch-hit. He's been around long enough where he understands that and he puts together a pretty good at-bat regardless. So that's what I look for. I look for that opportunity for him."

It's unique to hear a professional athlete speak about being comfortable with a backup role and understanding the value of it.

"I've been fortunate to be with a lot of great players that filled that role, Jonny Gomes being one of them - trying to watch what he does every day," Carp said. "And just sort of embracing that role really helps, too. Like I said, anytime I get the opportunity, I'm waiting for it, I'm itching for it and hopefully I can capitalize and succeed in that moment."

After playing his entire career in the American League, it was attractive to Carp to move to the National League, where he knows he'll see far more at-bats due to pinch-hitting opportunities for pitchers.

"It's pretty tough to do in the American League and I had some success over there," Carp said. "To come over to the National League, it's more my style of play, more opportunities to come up. Whereas in the American League, you might get one pinch-hit at-bat a week, versus here, you'll probably get one almost every game. So looking for the opportunities to be there and hopefully capitalize when I get those chances."

Carp has recently been part of a team that won the World Series and he recognizes that if he can manage to stick on with the Nationals, his eyes may once again be stinging with champagne in October.

"Just by looking at how they meshed last year, from an observing standpoint, they looked pretty dominant and looked like they had a lot of fun doing it," he said. "Obviously the pieces are there, especially this year, adding a few guys really helps. Overall, wanting to win. It seems like that's the main focus on everybody's agenda and couldn't be happier to be with guys that share that same philosophy."