The Washington Nationals have officially secured a one-year contract with infielder Paul DeJong, which guarantees him a salary of $1 million. This news, reported by Bob Nightengale from USA Today, indicates that DeJong’s contract also includes an additional $600,000 in potential performance incentives. Although the Nationals currently have a full 40-man roster, there are several players eligible for the 60-day injured list, allowing the team to make necessary adjustments and create space for DeJong once the signing is finalized. This strategic move aims to bolster their infield depth and enhance the overall competitiveness of the roster.

At 31 years old, Paul DeJong was drafted in the fourth round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. He made a swift ascent through the minor leagues, ultimately debuting in the major leagues at just 23 years old in 2017. In his inaugural season, DeJong showcased remarkable talent, achieving an impressive slash line of .285/.325/.532, which translated to a 123 wRC+. He hit 25 home runs in only 108 games while alternating between shortstop and second base. His standout performance earned him a second-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, trailing only Cody Bellinger. By 2018, he had firmly established himself as the Cardinals’ everyday shortstop, setting high expectations for his future contributions.

Before the start of DeJong’s second season with the Cardinals, he and the organization agreed to a lucrative six-year contract extension that guaranteed him $26 million, covering the period through the 2023 season, with club options for 2024 and 2025. Over the next two seasons, DeJong demonstrated his power by hitting 49 home runs across 274 games, but his batting average dropped to .237 with a .316 on-base percentage and a .440 slugging percentage, resulting in a 102 wRC+. This decline coincided with a significant drop in his batting average on balls in play (BABIP), falling from an unsustainable .349 to a below-average .271. Despite these offensive struggles, his consistent defensive performance justified his place in the Cardinals’ lineup as a reliable everyday player.

Unfortunately, DeJong’s offensive production continued to decline. From 2020 to 2023, he managed only a .200/.273/.352 line, translating to a 72 wRC+. During this period, he found himself transitioning between the Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants as he navigated the final guaranteed year of his contract extension. In an effort to revitalize his career, he signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Chicago White Sox last winter, aiming to replace Tim Anderson as their regular shortstop. The 2024 season marked a notable rebound for DeJong, as he achieved a respectable .227/.276/.427 slash line with 24 home runs in 139 games, showing that he could still produce quality power numbers after several challenging seasons.

As DeJong prepares to join the Nationals for the upcoming 2025 season, he is expected to take on the role of the team’s primary third baseman. Initially, this position appeared to be a contest between Jose Tena and Amed Rosario. However, Tena’s career wRC+ of just 80 raises concerns about his potential as a starting-caliber player. Meanwhile, Rosario’s versatility allows him to play multiple positions effectively, primarily against left-handed pitchers. It is plausible that Rosario could occasionally spell DeJong against lefties, considering their similar right-handed hitting profiles; however, Rosario boasts a career .298/.337/.460 batting line against southpaws, whereas DeJong has historically struggled in those matchups. Additionally, DeJong’s presence provides the Nationals with a solid backup option at shortstop, offering better defensive capabilities than both CJ Abrams and Rosario.

This signing is poised to significantly enhance the Nationals’ infield depth, providing them with a solid defensive asset at third base who possesses the potential to deliver 20 home runs annually, despite having below-average on-base skills. This is especially crucial for a Nationals team that struggled with its third basemen last season, finishing among the bottom teams in both wRC+ (67) and fWAR (-0.4). DeJong is well-equipped to surpass these benchmarks, allowing the organization to take a patient approach with their top third base prospect, Brady House, as he continues to develop in Triple-A with the goal of making his major league debut later this year. Once House is ready to step into the role, DeJong could transition into a valuable bench player or potentially become a trade asset as the team evaluates its position in the standings during the summer.