Nationals add to infield signing Cesar Hernandez to one-year deal

The Washington Nationals broke their free agency silence, signing infielder Cesar Hernandez, the club announced.

Hernandez is signing for $4 million on a one-year deal, according to Jon Heyman.

The Nationals will be the 31-year old Hernandez’s fourth major league team. He spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, two with the Cleveland Indians before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in July.

Last season, he hit a career-high 21 home runs with 62 RBI’s. He also collected 21 doubles. He led MLB with 20 doubles during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Hernandez batted a career-low .232 with a .694 OPS.

Where does Cesar Hernandez fit in the Nationals infield?

The addition of Hernandez will cause a shuffle in the Nationals’ infield. The question is where?

Hernandez has played the majority of his career at second base. If he is slotted at second in Washington, young prospect Luis Garcia will presumably slide to shortstop. 

Hernandez also has experience playing shortstop. If he is placed there, Alcides Escobar will most likely become a utility player. Or there is a chance he could push Carter Kieboom at third base.

Defensively, Hernandez had a .976 fielding percentage. He committed 12 errors and turned 73 double plays.

Nevertheless, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has once again landed a potential sneaky bargain player.