The Washington Nationals signed first baseman Eric Thames of Santa Clara, California from the Milwaukee Brewers to a one year contract worth $4 million on Wednesday according to TSN. Thames will be joining his fourth Major League Baseball team. In addition to the Brewers, he has also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
Thames batted .247 with the Brewers in 2019 with 25 home runs and 61 runs batted in. During 459 plate appearances, he had 396 at bats, scored 67 runs, had 98 hits, 23 doubles, two triples, three stolen bases, 51 walks, a .346 on base percentage, .505 slugging percentage, 200 total bases and two sacrifice flies.
Thames just becomes the latest position player who was with the Brewers in 2019 and switched teams for 2020. Others include catcher Yasmani Grandal (Chicago White Sox), third baseman Mike Moustakas (Cincinnati Reds), first baseman Travis Shaw (Toronto Blue Jays), outfielder Trent Grisham (San Diego Padres) and infielder Hernan Perez (Chicago Cubs).
The Nationals meanwhile have been very busy in free agency this week in trying to improve their infield production. In addition to Thames, Washington has re-signed second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera and signed second baseman Starlin Castro from the Miami Marlins. Do not be surprised if Thames platoons with Howie Kendrick at first base and Cabrera moves over to third base, as the Nationals lost third baseman Anthony Rendon to the Los Angeles Angels in free agency.
It should be noted that three Nationals positional players from last year are still free agents. They are first basemen Matt Adams and Ryan Zimmerman, as well as second baseman Brian Dozier.
