The Washington Nationals didn’t waste any time upgrading their catcher position this offseason, reportedly plucking former All-Star backstop Kurt Suzuki from the division-rival Atlanta Braves in free agency.
Breaking: Kurt Suzuki has agreed to a two-year deal with the Nationals.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 19, 2018
Suzuki should be a major upgrade from the combination of Matt Wieters and Pedro Severino Washington threw out there last season. The 35-year-old posted a .271 average with 12 homers and 50 RBI last season. That came on the heels of a 2017 campaign in which he put up a .283 average with 19 homers and 50 RBI.
Washington struggled big time behind the plate last season, with Wieters and Severino combining to hit just .207.
This is also a reunion of sorts. Suzuki suited up in D.C. for parts of the 2012 and 2013 seasons before eventually being traded back to his original Oakland A’s team and ultimately landing with the Minnesota Twins, where he earned an All-Star appearance in 2014.