WASHINGTON -- As they prepare to report to Spring Training this week, the Nationals made a move Monday night to improve their position player depth. Washington acquired utility man Matt Reynolds from the Mets in exchange for cash considerations.
Reynolds, 27, was designated for assignment by New York last week in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Todd Frazier. He played 68 games with the Mets in 2017 and spent time at shortstop, third base, second base, left field, first base and right field. That versatility piqued the Nationals' interest.
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The Mets, who drafted Reynolds in the second round in 2012. initially considered him a part of their core of position players for the future and he nearly made the club out of Spring Training in '15. However, he has struggled to stay consistent at the plate ever since in both the Majors and Minors. In the Majors last season, Reynolds compiled a slash line of .230/.326/.301.
For Washington, Reynolds could provide some versatility off the bench considering the club does not have a utility player with his positional flexibility.
The Nats re-signed veteran Howie Kendrick to give them a utility player, but Kendrick is still best suited at second base or a corner-outfield spot. They have tried to mold Wilmer Difo into that sort of player, but the transition has not gone smoothly. If he proves he can hit, Reynolds could serve as their reserve at a number of positions.
Washington's Opening Day bench appears full entering camp, but Reynolds, who has a Minor League option left in his contract, helps improve the team's depth in case of injuries. He fills the spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster cleared up last week when catcher Raudy Read was suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.