Reports: Nationals to sign 1B Thames on 1-year deal

The Washington Nationals agreed on a one-year deal with free agent first baseman Eric Thames, according to multiple reports Monday. The reports pegged the contact as having $4 million guaranteed, with a salary of $3 million in 2020, plus a $1 million buyout on a mutual option worth $4 million in 2021.

The left-handed-hitting Thames, 33, slugged 72 home runs in the past three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers after he returned to the majors after a three-year stint in the Korea Baseball Organization. He hit .247 with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 games last season. Thames has a .244 batting average and 93 homers in five major league seasons, including with the Toronto Blue Jays (2011-12) and Seattle Mariners (2012).

Thames figures to be platoon partner in Washington, perhaps for 35-year-old Ryan Zimmerman, a right-hander who has played for the Nationals since 2005 and is a free agent. Veteran infielder Howie Kendrick can also hold down first base, and he re-signed with the reigning World Series champs in the offseason. --Field Level Media