The Chicago Cubs placed 30-year-old outfielder Nate Schierholtz on release waivers last week, making him a free agent as of Friday, and this afternoon the Washington Nationals announced that they signed the 8-year veteran to a minor league deal.
Schierholtz avoided arbitration with the Cubs by signing a 1-year/$5M deal in mid-January 2014 and put up a .192/.240/.300 line in 99 games and 341 plate appearances over which he hit 10 doubles, three triples and six home runs in his second season in Chicago.
In 2013, the '03 Giants' 2nd Round pick who was traded to the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade in 2012 before signing with the Cubs as a free agent in December of 2012, hit 32 doubles, three triples and 21 HRs in 137 games and 503 PAs.
In 776 games and 2,233 PAs in his major league career, Schierholtz has put up a .254/.303/.406 line with a 162-game average of 24 doubles and 11 HRs according to Baseball-reference.com.
The left-handed hitting outfielder will report to Triple-A Syracuse in the Nationals' organization according to the press release on the signing sent out by the Nats.
The #Nats have agreed to terms with OF Nate Schierholtz on a Minor League contract. Schierholtz will be assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 18, 2014
Schierholtz is career .289 pinch hitter (48for166) w 4HR & 23RBI. His .763 PH OPS ranks 4th among active players w at least 150 career PH PA
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 18, 2014
The signing gives the Nationals some outfield depth in the organization after they've dealt with injuries to Jayson Werth, Steven Souza and Nate McLouth in recent weeks.
The top outfield prospect in the organization, Michael Taylor was called up recently and has started several games while Werth recovers from inflammation in the AC joint in his right shoulder.
Will Schierholtz be a September call-up if he's not needed before then?