Nationals Sign Free Agent Former All-Star Shortstop

They already have a young emerging star at shortstop in All-Star CJ Abrams, but the Washington Nationals have a gaping hole at third base, despite adding infielders like Amed Rosario and Jose Tena over the last year. To ensure they're covered, the Nats have now also gone out and signed former All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong who can play third.

Veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who hit 24 HRs last year, agrees to 1 year, $1 million contract with the Washington Nationals
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 16, 2025

It's a one-year, $1 million deal.

DeJong played third base for 41 games last season for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, his first time at the hot corner in his eight major league seasons.

But it's also what DeJong was able to do with the bat last season that intrigued the Nationals, as the 31-year-old banged 24 homers in a power bounceback season. DeJong once launched 30 homers, back in his All-Star season of 2019, and, with two other impressive offensive seasons to begin his career before that one, seemed like a future star at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals.

But his numbers significantly dropped off for the next four years, before finding the power range again last season. Still, he was barely able to establish himself as a league-average hitter, as his 97 OPS+ would attest. He hit .227 with an anemic .276 on-base, both close to his career marks of .229 and .295. He'll likely remain an all-or-nothing strikeout-prone bat, but he does offer some extra infield flexibility for Washington.

The Nats are hoping he brings the long ball, as they finished last in the NL in home runs and second to last in slugging percentage last season.

He could platoon at 3B with Tena, though the team's No. 3 prospect, third baseman Brady House is projected to debut this season.