The Nationals are entering the third year of their rebuild and have done very little this offseason outside of signing three veteran outfielders. Now with Opening Day just two weeks away, the Nationals have a decision to make about who their left fielder will be.
Signed to a minor-league contract last week, Eddie Rosario is the favorite to be the Nationals’ everyday left fielder. In his third season with the Braves last summer, the 32-year-old batted .255/.305/.450 with 21 home runs over 142 games. Rosario has spent most of his career in left field, where he has posted a .978 fielding percentage with 11 defensive runs saved. His minor-league contract doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot, but Rosario’s defense and left-handed bat are a good fit for the Washington lineup.
“I’m really glad he’s here,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said of Rosario when speaking to the media on Monday.