The Nationals get a versatile bench bat in Amed Rosario
The Washington Nationals have announced they are signing Amed Rosario to a one year deal. The deal will be worth $2 million. The 29 year old will serve as a versatile bench bat, who is a good option against left handed pitching.
Rosario has bounced around the last couple years, playing for four teams since the start of 2022, including two stints with the Dodgers. He also has the ability to play many positions, playing second base, third base, shortstop, and right field last season. However, he has never really learned to play any single position at a very high level.
Rosario has shown upside in the past, posting back to back near three win seasons in 2021 and 2022. However, he has not been as effective the last couple years. It is another example of Mike Rizzo trying to buy low on a player. This approach has had mixed results, but there have been some success stories in Jeimer Candelario and Jesse Winker.
Rosario will likely be a platoon option, who mostly plays against left handed pitching. He is a .298 career hitter against southpaws. Rosario will be a bench bat, who can plug a number of holes and put up serviceable production. Let’s hope Rosario can get closer to his 2022 best, and is better than the last Rosario the Nats signed to a one-year deal.
To fill up space in the 40 man roster, the Nats have DFA’d Joan Adon. The right hander had a couple good moments, including flirting with a no-hitter against the Reds, but could never quite cut it at the big league level.