The Nationals introduced this morning that they’ve positioned Nick Senzel on unconditional launch waivers. Any crew that claims him would assume the rest of his $2MM wage. It’s likelier he’ll go unclaimed and develop into a free agent.
Washington had 5 days to discover a commerce associate after designating the third baseman for project final Saturday. That didn’t come to fruition, making a launch the possible end result. Senzel entered the season with 4 years and 150 days of service time. He surpassed the five-year mark in April, thereby incomes the correct to say no any assignments to the minor leagues with out forfeiting wage. Since Senzel would possible have elected free company in lieu of an outright project to Triple-A, the Nats merely launched him.
The Nationals took a flier on the previous #2 general choose final offseason. Senzel by no means developed into the offensive drive that the Reds envisioned once they drafted him so extremely. That’s partly due to damage, because the College of Tennessee product missed time due to knee and toe points. Even when wholesome, Senzel turned in middling offensive numbers. He mixed for a .239/.302/.368 line in practically 1400 plate appearances with Cincinnati.
The Reds opted to not tender him an arbitration contract. The Nationals, nonetheless on the tail finish of their rebuild, assured him $2MM in hopes {that a} change of surroundings may unlock a few of the upside he confirmed in school and within the minors. The Nats additionally dedicated to transferring Senzel again to his pure third base place after the Reds had bounced him across the diamond in recent times.
Senzel continued to battle in his new house. He opened the season on the injured checklist after breaking his thumb in Spring Coaching. Senzel returned in mid-April and blasted 5 house runs over his first couple weeks of the season. His manufacturing tailed off nearly instantly thereafter. For the reason that begin of Could, he’s hitting .207/.309/.299 in 188 plate appearances. That wasn’t going to translate to any form of commerce curiosity.
Washington is giving rookie Trey Lipscomb an audition at third base after transferring on from Senzel. The 24-year-old has struggled to a .228/.293/.257 slash line over his first 43 MLB contests. The Nats have dropped 10 video games underneath .500 and are shortly falling from the Wild Card race, although, in order that they’ve taken the previous couple weeks to get appears to be like at youthful gamers. Washington additionally launched Eddie Rosario at the side of the promotion of high outfield prospect James Wooden.
As soon as he clears launch waivers, Senzel would possibly have to take a minor league contract. If he secures a spot on the MLB roster with one other crew, that membership would solely owe him the prorated portion of the $740K minimal for time spent within the majors. The Nationals stay on the hook for the remainder of his wage.
