Jun 2, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady (21) bats against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Braves 2 – 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

2012 Prediction (ZiPS): .249/.294/.367, 5 HR, 28 RBI (229 ABs)
2012 Actual (with Washington): .157/.211/.257, 3 HR, 6 RBI (16/102)

Nady saw his playing time reduced by May and by June he was put on the disabled list before being released outright. He was later picked up by the San Francisco Giants and did alright there, even making a start in the NLDS and remains on the Giants NLCS roster.

Nady was supposed to be a stop-gap in the Nationals outfield with Michael Morse’s injury and Harper biding his time at AAA, similar to Rick Ankiel. He struggled in his time which affected his playing time and with younger players behind him (namely Tyler Moore), the Nationals decided to cut him loose when it became apparent his bat just wasn’t where it needed to be.

It may have just taken him time as with San Francisco, he did see a jump in his statistics but he is still an extra outfielder on a playoff team. His role hasn’t really changed.

Season Highlight: May 16: Nady homered to open up a 4-1 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates for his 100th career home-run.

Nady joined the Nationals towards the end of Spring Training on a one year minor league deal worth $700,000. He was able to make the team with the hope that he’d offer some veteran presence off the bench. He struggled to just a .157/.211/.275 line over 109 plate appearances before landing on the disabled list with a wrist injury. He didn’t fare much better through a minor league rehab assignment and the team ultimately had to make a decision, either add him to the Major League roster or release him.

It’s possible Nady could catch on elsewhere on another minor league contract, though it’s tough to predict any possible destinations. He struggled badly at the plate, but can handle both corner outfield positions and first base which could offer some sort of value from an organizational depth standpoint.

April 13, 2012;Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady (21) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a homerun against the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Nady was a late spring training pickup by the Nationals. They signed him and placed him on the major league team looking for a veteran presence on the bench. Nady struggled at the plate this year, only hitting .157 in the majors this year with six RBIs. Nady’s hitting did not improve during his rehab assignment, during which he hit only .158 with one RBI.

His best moments while with the Nats were a game tying home run in the bottom of the eighth inning on April 13th against the Cincinnati Reds, a game which the Nats eventually won in the bottom of the thirteenth inning, and a game saving, highlight reel outfield catch against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 8th robbing Adrian Gonzalez of a home run.

Unfortunately, those moments were few and far between for Nady while he was with the Nationals. Fans usually saw Nady going 0-4 at the plate, slow to get to balls that were hit into the corners in the outfield, and a less than stellar arm.

Nady was drafted by the Padres and became a regular starter with the club in 2003. He played for the Padres, Mets, Pirates, Yankees, Cubs, and Diamondbacks before joining the Nationals this year. He has missed significant playing time in the past due to two Tommy John surgeries, one in 2002 and another in 2009.