Washington Nationals Mock Signings: Rounding out the final roster

Logan Morrison, 1B

One of the more interesting holes to fill this offseason is finding a backup first base option to protect Ryan Zimmerman. There were still several options on the table at the end of the simulation, but we pounced on another former Twins player in Logan Morrison.

In the last two seasons, it’s been Adam Lind and Matt Adams occupying that role with great success, and now it’s time for Logan Morrison to fill that role. One loose criterion was for it to be a left-handed hitter so that on Zimmerman’s days off, they could slot in against a tough right-hander, and Morrison fits that bill.

Although his batting average and on-base percentage are pretty similar against righties and lefties, he is able to turn on the ball for more power against right-handers. His slugging percentage jumps up from .369 against lefties to .447 against right-handers, making him a big threat to go deep in the lineup.

That power against right-handers is also useful when he needs to come in and pinch-hit, which has been part of the job description before too. Morrison shouldn’t be expected hit to the same level as Adams and Lind off the bench, but he will at least put up a fight with a .655 OPS in 96 pinch-hit ABs.

While we also won’t be expecting production like the career-year he had with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 when he 38 home runs, there’s a lot to like about Morrison’s potential production.

With money going elsewhere on the team such as the rotation and bullpen, Morrison was probably the best value option going. We were able to ink him to a one-year $1.5 million deal with little-to-no risk attached. A perfect reclamation project.