Mike Rizzo has been a very busy man this morning and into the afternoon. Jerry Blevins has now signed a one-year deal worth $1.675 million, avoiding arbitration.
The #Nats have agreed to terms with LHP Jerry Blevins, avoiding arbitration.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 17, 2014
The left-handed reliever came over from the Oakland Athletics this winter to fill the hole in the bullpen. Blevins has pitched in at least 60 innings each of the past two seasons and done well.
Blevins strikes out nearly one batter per inning and has a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio. The huge bonus that comes with Blevins is that he is a lefty that can face both left and right-handed batters.
This will get Blevins signed through the 2014 season and will have to go through this again next season if he doesn’t ink a long term deal between now and next January.
#Nats avoid arbitration with Jerry Blevins, team announces. Still waiting on Fister, Clippard.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) January 17, 2014
Now only two names remain unsigned. Those two names are important pieces in the success of the Nationals in 2014. We will keep you updated on any more deals that come across the wire.