Nationals Sign Brad Hand
Per Jon Heyman- The Washington Nationals are signing lefty closer Brad Hand on a 1-year $10.5 million dollar deal. This gives Hand the 5th biggest contract out of all closers in the MLB. Hand has been one of the top relief pitchers in the MLB in recent years, making three straight all-star games from 2017-19, leading the AL in saves in 2020 and making the All-MLB Second Team last season as a member of the Indians.
While Hand did have a fantastic regular season last year, leading the AL in saves and had an ERA of 2.05, he finished very poorly blowing the save in an elimination game vs the New York Yankees. Nationals fans are hoping this ignited a fire in Hand to redeem himself and pitch a good 2021 season.
This move solidifies what should be a great bullpen going into 2021, with Daniel Hudson, Will Harris, Tanner Rainey and now Brad Hand. Yet this should not be the end of things for Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office. The team still needs a second catcher, whether they go for a backup to Yan Gomes, or someone to start ahead of Gomes is the question but they could use one nonetheless. In addition, the Nats could still use another infielder to round out the roster.
