Shagging Flies with the Nats: 2/8/19
In this Friday afternoon roundup of Washington Nationals' news, we look at both the on-the-field and off-the-field tidbits that might have slipped by unnoticed this last week.
So, grab your glove! We'll shag a few fly balls while we talk some baseball...
Return Engagement Booked
Starting pitcher, Jeremy Hellickson, and the Washington Nationals have agreed in principle on a one-year, $1.3 million contract for the 2019 season. The agreement is packed with performance bonuses that could bring the 31-year old's paycheck up to $4 million, AP sources report. The right-hander went 5-3 for the Nats last year with a 3.45 ERA and a WAR of 1.4. Hellickson will most likely be penciled into the fifth spot in the starting rotation behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez.
A Team Win
Relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough, one of the Nationals' offseason acquisitions, lost his arbitration case this week. The 28-year old who went 1-6 with a 4.20 ERA with the Miami Marlins last year will make $1.725 million this season instead of the $2 million he'd requested. This is the second arbitration case the Nats have won this year (Michael A. Taylor lost last week.)
The Harper Lottery
In this week's chase for Bryce Harper, the San Francisco Giants entered the race and met with the slugger. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees voiced his happiness in a potential Harper signing. All fingers remain crossed in DC that the former MVP will choose to remain in the city he's called home his entire career.
Saying Goodbye
The Nationals family joined with the rest of the baseball world in mourning the passing of Hall of Fame player and former Expos/Nationals manager Frank Robinson this week. For a lovingly detailed look at the Robinson's career, please, read our very own Brian Pinter's article on the passing of a legend.
