BREAKING: Washington Nationals Reportedly Sign Yusmeiro Petit
By Matt Weyrich
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
After losing out on top FA reliever Darren O’Day, the Washington Nationals have shifted their sights elsewhere by signing former San Francisco Giant Yusmeiro Petit.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Washington Nationals have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with free agent reliever and spot starter Yusmeiro Petit. Petit has spent the last four seasons with the San Francisco Giants, posting a 3.66 ERA alongside a 8.8 K/9 in 90 games. He is best known for the crucial role he played during their 2014 World Series run.
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The Venezuelan-born right hander first signed as an international free agent in 2001, inking a long-term deal with the New York Mets. Before he could reach the majors, however, Petit was traded to the Florida Marlins. He eventually made his major league debut with the club, but struggled in his one season in the big leagues and was traded again, this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Petit would never find much consistency in Arizona, eventually falling out of baseball in 2009.
In 2012, Petit signed a minor league deal with San Francisco. The following year, he rejuvenated his career, recording three straight seasons with a 3.69 ERA or lower. He pitched dominantly down the stretch in 2014, playing a key role in the Giants’ World Series run. In fact, he was so dominant, he set the Major League record for consecutive batters retired (46).
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Petit alternated back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen during his tenure in San Francisco, and the Nats most likely see him as insurance for any injuries in the rotation. While Washington had been connected to rumors surrounding Mike Leake, their deal with Petit most likely signals that they will be sticking with the current rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Joe Ross, and Tanner Roark.
Sliding into the projected 2016 Opening Day bullpen alongside recently signed lefty Oliver Perez, reportedly signed set-up man Shawn Kelley, and 24-year old Felipe Rivero, Petit will likely pitch during the middle innings when coming out of the ‘pen. Meanwhile, Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon sit patiently while they wait to find out what uniforms they will be wearing next season.
The bullpen still needs work, and after losing out newly-signed Chicago Cub Ben Zobrist, the middle infield still has some sorting out to do. Yunel Escobar is still being mentioned as a potential trade piece, and no one can seem to keep Dusty Baker’s mouth shut. The Nationals, playoff hopefuls after a disappointing 2015 campaign, have a lot left on their plate, but with Mike Rizzo at the helm, there’s still hope yet.