Nats sign long time Cardinals backup Andrew Knizner
While the Dodgers were out adding more generational Japanese talents, the Nationals made a move. They signed Andrew Knizner to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Knizner was Yadier Molina’s understudy for many years in St. Louis, and has a lot of big league experience.
He is coming off of a disastrous 2024 with the Rangers, where he couldn’t hit a beach ball in 90 at bats. However, he was a very solid backup catcher for the Cardinals in 2023. In 2023, he hit 10 home runs, and put up a solid .712 OPS.
Similarly to Franchy Cordero, he will have a chance to compete for a roster spot, but is not a favorite to make the team. Both Riley Adams and Drew Millas will have the inside track on Knizner to make the opening day squad.
Knizner is a Virginia native, so this is something of a homecoming for the soon to be 30 year old. One note is that Knizner is out of options, so if he gets on to the big league roster, they will have to DFA him if they decide to send him down.
Knizner is another low risk move to fill out the organization, and add depth. He has plenty of big league experience, and worst case, he will be a good mentor for young pitchers in Rochester.