9:51 AM: The Washington Nationals have made it official with the signing of infielder Josiah Gray. To accommodate the new addition on their 40-man roster, the right-handed pitcher has been placed on the 60-day injured list.

6:54 AM: The Nationals have reached a one-year agreement with infielder Paul DeJong, ensuring him a guaranteed salary of $1 million, according to reports from Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Additionally, Jon Heyman from the New York Post noted that the contract includes incentives worth up to $600,000. While the Nationals’ 40-man roster is currently full, there are several players eligible for the 60-day injured list, allowing the team to create space for DeJong once the official announcement is made.

At 31 years old, DeJong was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, quickly making his way up the minor leagues before debuting in the majors in 2017 at just 23. In his rookie season, he showcased impressive skills, achieving a batting line of .285/.325/.532 (123 wRC+) and hitting 25 home runs in 108 games while alternating between shortstop and second base. DeJong finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, narrowly missing the honor to Cody Bellinger and, by 2018, he had solidified his position as the Cardinals’ starting shortstop.

Before embarking on his second year with St. Louis, DeJong secured a six-year contract extension set to run through the 2023 season, including options for 2024 and 2025, totaling $26 million. Over the following two seasons, he hit 49 homers in 274 games but his overall batting dipped to .237/.316/.440 (102 wRC+), as his once-supportive .349 BABIP fell to a modest .271. Despite a decline in offensive production, DeJong’s defensive prowess continued to validate his spot in the lineup as a consistent player for the Cardinals.

Unfortunately for DeJong, his offensive struggles persisted. Between 2020 and 2023, he posted a disappointing .200/.273/.352 (72 wRC+), which led him to transition between the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants during the final guaranteed year of his contract. He then signed a one-year deal worth $1.75 million with the White Sox, aiming to regain his form while stepping in for Tim Anderson as their regular shortstop. The 2024 season proved fruitful for DeJong as he bounced back with a respectable .227/.276/.427 (95 wRC+) line and hit 24 homers over 139 games, showcasing his best power performance in five years. His season was divided between the White Sox and the Royals. Upon joining Kansas City, he transitioned to third base to make way for Bobby Witt Jr., excelling defensively despite earlier indications of average fielding at shortstop.

Now, as DeJong prepares to join the Nationals for the 2025 season, it appears he will take on the role of their primary third baseman. This position was previously expected to be shared between Jose Tena and Amed Rosario. However, Tena’s career wRC+ of 80 raises doubts about his potential as a starter, while Rosario’s versatility allows him to navigate the infield and outfield, particularly facing left-handed pitchers. It’s feasible that Rosario might relieve DeJong against some lefties, as both players are right-handed hitters, but Rosario boasts a career .298/.337/.460 average against southpaws, contrasting with DeJong’s reverse splits. In addition to stepping in as the main third baseman, DeJong provides the Nationals with a reliable backup for CJ Abrams at shortstop, demonstrating superior defense compared to both Abrams and Rosario.

This signing is set to enhance the Nationals’ infield significantly, offering a solid defensive presence at third base while contributing at least 20 home runs per season, despite limited on-base ability. This is particularly valuable for the Nationals, who ranked near the bottom in both wRC+ (67) and fWAR (-0.4) for their third basemen last year. DeJong is expected to exceed both of those metrics, allowing the organization to be patient with top third base prospect Brady House as he develops at the Triple-A level, aiming for a major league debut later this year. Once House is prepared to take over at third base, DeJong could evolve into a valuable bench asset or potentially serve as a trade asset, depending on the team’s standing throughout the season.