Washington Nationals: Ranking the free agents team should re-sign
Kurt Suzuki
Kurt Suzuki has done two tours with the team and I do not think he will be back for a third.
Originally acquired by the Washington Nationals for the stretch run 2012, Suzuki was brought back on a team friendly 2 YR/$10M deal prior to the 2019 season. Zuk, as he is affectionately known, earned his keep by hitting .264 with 17 home runs.
He had a bum shoulder towards the end of the regular season which caused him to lose playing time to Yan Gomes in the postseason. His 3-30 hitting performance in the playoffs was most likely a result of the injury as well.
Suzuki will also be 37 years-old entering next season, and what makes him more likely to return to the Nationals than Kendrick, is the position he plays.
His production this year has been down, and his defense has always been awful. Last year he threw out just 10% of attempted base stealers. This year, just 13%.
He is a veteran catcher though, and knows the Nationals pitchers. For this reason I could see him being brought back on a one-year contract to share time with Yan Gomes, who will have one year remaining on his deal as well.
Some people are clamoring for J.T. Realmuto to be signed. I don’t think the Nationals do this. If they do shell out some money, they will be outbid. They have a duo of catchers in Tres Barrera and Raudy Read, who could conceivably play the role of backup to Gomes next year.
Who was the last home grown catcher, brought through the Nationals system, to handle the majority of the catching duties?
That’s why there is even a slim chance Suzuki is back.