When the Washington Nationals decided not to bring back Adam Lind, a fair question developed: How would they replace such a significant bat off the bench?
Lind became a stunning discovery in his lone season with Washington. A late invitation to spring training gave him a shot to join the bench as a left-handed hitter who could also replace Ryan Zimmerman at first base on occasion. He excelled. So much so, that picking up his $5 million option for 2018 seemed logical. Instead, the Nationals declined it, putting themselves into the market for a replacement to match Lind’s .875 OPS from last season.
They found one Wednesday when they signed Matt Adams to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. Adams put together a combined .841 OPS last season when playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. He is almost five years younger than Lind and checks similar boxes. Adams hit 20 home runs last year. He can play first base when necessary. Unlike Lind, Adams has been a pinch-hitter and bench player throughout his career. Entering the role in Washington will take no adjustment.
The Nationals thought their usage of Lind last season was one of the prime reasons for Zimmerman’s resurgence. Zimmerman’s offense had been derailed in back-to-back seasons because of injuries. Last season, he went through a light spring training, received plenty of rest and treatment during the regular season, and returned to the All-Star Game. Zimmerman was long insistent that he simply needed to stay on the field to be productive. His .930 OPS last year showed that to be true. Having a quality backup helped make that happen.
Adams will join infielder Wilmer Difo, catcher Pedro Severino, and outfielder Brian Goodwin as the likely components of the Nationals’ bench. Infielder Adrian Sanchez could be another option. Washington could well also look for a veteran right-handed bat, the way it did last season with Howie Kendrick, to round out the bench.
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