Nationals Sign Matt Wieters, EDIT: Signed Joe Blanton

[heyzeus]

baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/21/catcher-matt-wieters-nationals-close-to-an-agreement/

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Free agent catcher Matt Wieters has reportedly landed a deal with The Washington Nationals.



The longtime Baltimore Oriole will get a two-year contract he can opt out of after this season.

Guess the Nats weren't sold on the Norris/Lobaton platoon to replace Ramos.

They will still miss the hole in their lineup that Ramos leaves. Wieters however, is very good behind the plate. His hitting never matured to the Piazza levels as was thought when he was drafted.

[brandonwarne52]

This doesn't really make sense to me. Like Adam Lind, I just don't see a need here.

[heyzeus]

Their window might be closing to win a title. So they are trying to stockpile players for a run.

[brandonwarne52]

That has to feel bleak considering Scherzer is due a ton of cash and Turner, Strasburg and Harper are all fairly young.

[heyzeus]

Harper is probably gone after next year. He has that Dodger/Yankee money waiting for him. Strasburg can't pitch an entire year without getting some sort of setback. I don't know how many more years Scherzer will be dominant, two, maybe three.

[heyzeus]

The Nationals signed Joe Blanton to a 1 yr $4m.

[brandonwarne52]

I'm a little surprised Blanton only got that. He had a fine year last year.

[heyzeus]

He definitely has reinvented himself. I remember in 2010 he was one of the most frustrating pitchers for the Phillies. It seemed like every inning the first batter would get one base.

[brandonwarne52]

I thought for sure he was headed to the Twins the year he hit FA and signed with LAA.