The Nationals are signing right-hander Daniel Mengden to a minor league deal, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray (via Twitter). Mengden had been pitching in the Royals’ farm system on another minors contract signed at the start of the season, but Kansas City released him from that deal earlier this week.
Mengden now moves onto the fifth different organization (four in MLB, one in the KBO League) of a pro career that began as a fourth-round draft pick for the Astros in 2014. The righty is best known for his five years with the Athletics from 2016-20, as Mengden posted a 4.64 ERA over 302 2/3 innings during his Oakland tenure, mostly working as a starting pitcher. An injury-plagued 2020 campaign led the A’s to outright Mengden following the 2020 season, and he then went overseas to South Korea to pitch for the Kia Tigers.
Returning to MLB in 2022, Mengden signed a minors deal with the Royals and appeared in five games (seven IP) at the big league level. That represents his last stint in the Show, as he hasn’t pitched well or even often with Triple-A Omaha this season. Starting three of his six games for Omaha, Mengden has a 7.36 ERA over 14 2/3 innings, with a lackluster 20% strikeout rate and 11.4% strikeout rate.
Washington might view the 30-year-old Mengden purely as rotation depth or as a bullpen candidate who can be called upon to soak up innings as a long reliever. At the cost of a minors league deal, there’s no risk for the Nationals in seeing what Mengden can provide, whether at the Triple-A level or for spot duty in the majors.
That last paragraph demonstrates the difference between a front office that is paying attention and one that is napping.
I just want to sign his mustache, 20 year deal with a no trade clause.
Chad Kuhl replacement.
Since they’re not competitive, I’d much prefer it be guys like Kuhl or Mengden getting shelled out of the pen instead of them rushing a kid like Susana up from AA.
At minimum, they’re unlikely to be able to compete in the NL East until Corbin’s deal is off the books after next season. Depending on how Gore, Ruiz, Abrams, Hassell, Wood, House, Elijah Green, and likely Dylan Crews, develop, it (sadly) could be longer than that.
The Lerners apparently either aren’t getting an offer they like or can’t decide if they want to fund a high dollar payroll despite a horrible TV deal like they did before the 2021 tear down. Given that problem, Strasburg’s contract being on the books until 2027, and the approximately $100 million in deferred money they owe Scherzer over the next four years, I’m not sure when the Nats may be willing to take on big money again.
They’ll give him a twirl.
I mustache you to please refrain from puns on this site.