Nationals sign Kurt Suzuki to 2-year deal ($10M total)

[Matt Breen]

One of the better catching options off the board with Suzuki going to Washington on a 2-year, $10M deal. Nats really needed a catcher (or two) after enduring Wieters the last couple of seasons.

 

Suzuki is viewed as a superior bat (for a catcher) but nothing great behind the plate.

 

The move affects Milwaukee in a few ways. One, it takes a decent catcher off the market. Whether we had any interest in Suzuki (or even if we want to add a catcher) is unknown. But Suzuki would have offered a solid platoon option with Pena.

 

Two, it likely takes Washington out of the market for Realmuto since they probably wouldn't sign Suzuki and then go trade for someone who will catch 120-130 games.

 

How exactly this really affects Milwaukee remains to be seen.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/nationals-sign-kurt-suzuki.html

[StearnsFTW]

Fine with me. I have no use for bad defensive catchers.

[long ball]

I kinda liked the idea of bringing is Suzuki to help the offense, but since he doesn’t have a strong defensive reputation I knew he was unlikely to become a Brewer.

 

Solid signing at a modest price for the Nats.

[KeithStone53151]

Fine with me. I have no use for bad defensive catchers.

 

I assume then you also aren't interested in Ramos, as he is worse defensively...

 

I suspect it will either be Realmuto or Nottingham pairing with Pina to open 2018, far more likely to be Nottingham than Pina...and I'm ok with that.

[StearnsFTW]

Fine with me. I have no use for bad defensive catchers.

 

I assume then you also aren't interested in Ramos, as he is worse defensively...

 

I suspect it will either be Realmuto or Nottingham pairing with Pina to open 2018, far more likely to be Nottingham than Pina...and I'm ok with that.

 

You assume correctly. I have no problem with any of the options you listed, although I'm not sure about Nottingham's defense. At least if he's bad he's league minimum instead of $5MM per. If my catcher can hit, that's a huge bonus, but he better be good defensively.

 

I want 2017 Pina back even though I know it's unlikely.