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Nationals Sign 3B/SS Paul DeJong: The Morning Briefing

Here are your Monday Morning headlines, analysis, and more for February 17, 2025.

Author

Richard Wachtel
February 17, 2025 • Reading Time: 11 minutes

Good Morning, Happy Monday Morning. Here are your Monday Morning headlines, analysis, and more for Monday, February 17, 2025.

Happy President’s Day!

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SPRING TRAINING 2025 COVERAGE
Washington Nationals sign 3B/SS Paul DeJong

The Washington Nationals announced yesterday afternoon that they have signed 3B/SS Paul DeJong to a one-year, $1 million contract. In a corresponding move, Right-hander Josiah Gray was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for the infielder on the 40-man roster.

DeJong, a former Rookie of the Year finalist (2017) and All-Star (2019) with the St. Louis Cardinals, has bounced between five organizations over the past two seasons. Last year with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, he hit 24 home runs with a .703 OPS but struggled with strikeouts, posting a .227 batting average, .276 on-base percentage, 156 strikeouts, and just 23 walks in 482 plate appearances. The move is contingent on DeJong passing a physical and the Nationals clearing a spot on their 40-man roster.

While DeJong has extensive experience at shortstop (784 games with a .979 fielding percentage over the past eight years), he also has experience at third base (41 games, .970 fielding percentage, three errors).

The Nationals' acquisition of Paul DeJong provides them with significant flexibility. He adds to their options at third base and even offers backup potential at shortstop. The low-risk, one-year, $1 million contract makes the signing a minimal investment for the team. A strong first half from DeJong could make him a valuable trade chip at the deadline, potentially netting the Nationals additional prospects.

SPRING TRAINING 2025 COVERAGE
Shinnosuke Ogasawara Makes his Nationals Debut

On Friday, Shinnosuke Ogasawara made his Washington Nationals debut at Spring Training. While it wasn’t as big as, let’s say, Juan Soto making his New York Mets debut on Sunday, it is still exciting for the Nationals as Shinnosuke Ogasawara is the first Japanese Baseball player the organization has signed. In his Friday afternoon Press conference, Nationals Manager Dave Martinez left the day of watching the Japanese pitcher with a positive impression despite a long flight and late arrival the night before. According to Martinez, Ogasawara was eager to get on the mound. He was antsy today to get out there," Martinez commented, adding that Ogasawara even admitted to feeling like a rookie. However, nerves were quickly dispelled as he "threw the ball well."

One aspect of Ogasawara's game that has already impressed Martinez is his pace. "When I saw his video, he works pretty quickly. So, that's great," he said. Ogasawara's enthusiasm was so apparent that Martinez had to slow him down a bit during his 40-pitch outing. "He wants to keep going," Martinez chuckled. "I actually slowed him down a little bit so that he could catch a deep breath. He threw 40 pitches. I told him at 20 to stop for a few minutes. Let's talk a little bit and then get back on the mound. And he did that, and he did it well."

The Washington Nationals are banking on their young core to revitalize the franchise. Players like James Wood, Dylan Crews, CJ Abrams, Jacob Young, and a host of pitching prospects represent the team's hope for a return to winning form.

General Manager Mike Rizzo underscored this strategy in his "State of the Nationals" address to season ticket holders last month. He emphasized the importance of building around a core group of players, stating, "You have to do what you have to do to sustain greatness... By having a core group of guys who will be with you through those years. … When your [prospect] stars become [MLB] stars — that’s when you take off.”

With spring training just around the corner, all eyes will be on these young players as they begin their professional journeys. Early reports are promising, with James Wood's hitting coach noting that James has “shown more maturity in the offseason and has more knowledge of his swing, which helps him make better adjustments at the plate.” Expectations are high for this group, and fans are hoping they can live up to the hype.

SPRING TRAINING 2025 COVERAGE
Spring Training officially starts this week.

With the official start of Spring Training, a buzz of excitement surrounds the Washington Nationals, and while some players have been in West Palm Beach for a couple of weeks, this week marks the official start. A recent surprise signing, however, has raised some eyebrows. The Nationals' acquisition of Paul DeJong has prompted questions, especially given recent comments from Manager Dave Martinez about the need for "full-time help" in the bullpen.

Last week, both Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo expressed confidence in Jose Tena starting at third base. DeJong's signing seems to contradict this. While DeJong has primarily played shortstop throughout his career, the assumption is he'll see time at third. Is this a correct assumption? Did his experience at shortstop, rather than third base, factor into the Nationals' decision? This move certainly adds depth, but does it also signal a lack of complete confidence in CJ Abrams at shortstop? DeJong isn't necessarily a long-term replacement at shortstop, but his versatility at both shortstop and third base makes this a low-risk and potentially valuable signing. The “hot corner” is 100% something that we will be watching up close this Spring Training and well into the season.

Another storyline that came into focus and we will be paying close attention to is the further development of catcher Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz was the topic of discussion during Martinez’s press conference on Friday afternoon. Martinez discussed how Ruiz needs to forget about the past: "You learn from what you've done, but understand why you're here." Ruiz is here because he's a talented catcher, signed to a contract that reflects his potential. Entering Spring Training, Ruiz has shown a renewed sense of ownership, becoming more vocal, holding meetings with fellow catchers, and actively communicating with pitchers. According to Martinez, he understands the team needs him and is determined to take control.

Speed Reads
What we think the Washington Nationals front office is reading

📌 Each team's player with most to prove in Spring Training (MLB)

📌 MLB should take notes from NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off spectacle (New York Post)

📌 Cubs manager Craig Counsell and Seiya Suzuki are working on their communication issues (The Athletic)

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