14-time All-Star catcher would back up Flores
The Nationals engineered an early surprise at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings in Indianapolis late on Monday night when they signed free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a contract.
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The 14-time All-Star is 38 and coming off one of his worst seasons. Yet the Nats, who are not commenting on the deal pending a physical, signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract. That opens a line of questions about paying so much for a backup catcher and the health status of starting catcher Jesus Flores.
There’s no question that Washington needed a strong backup at the position. Neither Josh Bard (.655 OPS) nor Wil Nieves (.612 OPS) were productive at the plate last season once Flores went down with a shoulder injury. Eventually, Flores was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder and underwent surgery on Sept. 16. The 25-year-old could be ready for spring training. But that’s not certain and the Nats needed a veteran who could start early in the year.
“Certainly in Washington, Pudge has an opportunity to — particularly this year — play at a number [of games] that’s well above that of a backup catcher,” agent Scott Boras told SIRIUS XM radio’s MLB Home Plate channel on Tuesday. “So he’s going to be a significant contributor.”
Rodriguez has won 13 Gold Glove awards at catcher and remains a capable player there — though not the intimidating threat he once was. Eight times in his career Rodriguez has thrown out 50 percent or more of the baserunners trying to steal on him. That number dropped to 35 percent last season, but is still above average. Nieves threw out just 28 percent in 2009 and Bard 27 percent.
