The Nationals are signing another minor league deal with utility player Dee Strange-Gordon, reports Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. He and the Nats agreed to a minor league deal in the offseason, with Strange-Gordon cracking the Opening Day Roster but getting released last month.
Strange-Gordon, 34, made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Dodgers and spent another three seasons there. He then spent three seasons each with the Marlins and Mariners, rarely hitting for much power overall but providing plenty of speed and athleticism. In 1,025 career games, he’s hit just 18 home runs but has stolen 336 bases, producing an overall batting line of .286/.319/.360.
With the Nats this year, he was used sparingly, getting into just 23 games over a two-month stretch on the roster, though a two-week stint on the COVID IL also played a part in that. As a National, he produced a nice .305 batting average but not a single walk or home run, leading to a slash line of .305/.305/.356, wRC+ of 82.
After getting designated for assignment in mid-June, he rejected an outright assignment and returned to free agency. Now, almost a month later, he’s returned to the Nats’ organization. Although he was squeezed off of the roster at that time, it’s possible that more openings are created in the coming weeks. With the August 2 trade deadline just over two weeks away and the Nationals holding the worst record in baseball at 30-63, they are obvious sellers. MLBTR’s recent list of trade candidates highlighted Josh Bell, Nelson Cruz, Cesar Hernandez and Victor Robles as guys who could potentially be subtracted from the lineup. Then there was a bombshell report yesterday that the club will consider trading superstar Juan Soto.
Regardless of how it plays out, it seems likely that at least a couple of guys will be on the move soon, which could provide a path for Strange-Gordon to return to the big league club as a bench/utility option. Earlier this year, he played shortstop, left field and center field, but has also spent most of his career at second base prior to this season.
If Gordon was playing in the 60s and 70s, he’d be regarded as a great hitter
This is the biggest Nationals news this weekend.
The Washington Nationals 2022 World Champions
Except they are not entered in the World Baseball Classic.
Strange that they would turn around and re-sign him..
It’s not like he was released because they hate him.
As the article suggests, they may need to fill a couple holes after they trade people in the next 2 weeks. Otherwise, he’s a depth option to bring up if somebody gets hurt.
*Strange-Gordon
He’s persistent. Can’t hit a lick but he’s persistent. Or “strange.”
Lookout Washington!!!
He was the #2 guy they wanted behind Juan Soto
Juan Soto is not a priority for Washington.The Nationals need to sell him now, so someone can give Mr. Soto the contract he deserves. (The Yankees)
So predictable…Soto will go to the Yankees or Dodgers.
@Hebner3B- I would love to hear the Dodgers offer for Soto. I thought they were getting Luis Castillo? Don’t count out the Mariners for Mr. Soto. I would ask for Julio, Kellenic, and one of their young starting pitchers, Matt Brash or Emerson Hancock (Deep farm system)
Yankees can’t afford Judge but will be able to afford Soto?? Yankee fans still hanging on to the days George was still running things is as sad as it gets. They aren’t even the richest team in NY anymore LOL
@Crazies in Camden- that statement is all false. The Yankees are the richest organization in sports. Stevie Cohen could be their landscaper at Yankee Stadium. They could easily afford Judge and Soto if they want to. The tax threshold probably comes in to play though. I would trade for Soto now, sign him for 12 years, $540 million(45 million annually) and then worry about Mr. Judge and his contract after the season. If he leaves, he leaves. No big deal, you’ll have Juan Soto to fill up the seats at the stadium.
You keep telling yourself that the yankees are still the yankees of old. You want to watch them win a title? You better pop in a vhs of the old days because Hal ain’t spending like his daddy did. But again, keep telling yourself that the yankees will be bigger spenders than the mets. Pretty soon Baltimore will be outspending the yankees. If the yankees haven’t been the biggest embarrassment in the tri-state then they are a close 2nd to the Nets. Lmfao that you think the yankees are anything anymore, the 90s are a long time ago bud 🙂
Yankee fans are more intelligent than the NYC tabloids and talk radio make them to be. Anyone with half a brain knows Hal and Hank Steinbrenner don’t want to be stuck paying luxury tax.
BTW, did you see where Fox superimposed the Yankees and Red Sox logos over the 9/11 Memorial last night?
Maybe if Washington would finally offer a big money contract without deferrals or backloaded plans on it Soto would resign.
A third option would be St. Louis. I still think the Yankees can offer the best package. They offered 213.5 for seven to Judge. Soto is 6.5 years younger so they would logically offer at least 32 for 13 or 14 years. 32 times 14 is 448. It is already more than what the Nationals offered with one less year. The Yankees are also in much better shape. The Nationals were hoping he would accept a hometown discount but with the team so bad right now, that is not possible. They won’t be decent until at least 2024 and contenders until at least 2025. Who wants to wait several years for a team to contend?
@believeitornow- If $45 million annually isn’t offered to Soto, he’s probably not signing. $540 million for 12 years definitely seems fair. I feel with Dominguez, Peraza, Schmidt, Waldichuk, Pereira and Hicks, can get it done. Hicksy gives the Nationals a player to take Soto’s spot since Dominguez and Pereira are not ready for the majors yet. I think this would be an excellent package for Soto.
$7 for a beer seems fair!
@kingsfan1968- $7 beer at a baseball game is fair. Come to Yankee Stadium and get a beer!
@Mlbfan78- I definitely agree with that. Nobody wants to wait till their 80 to get paid.
Strange days indeed!
My gawd, dumpster diving while possibly frittering away Soto…a grim time for Nats fans.