:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18118447/20130503_jrc_bc4_045.0.jpg)
The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon that they had acquired 33-year-old outfielder David DeJesus from the Chicago Cubs in return for a player to be named later. DeJesus, an 11-year veteran, signed a 2-year/$10M free agent deal with the Cubs in November of 2011, which paid him $4.5M in 2012-13 and included a $6.5M club option for 2014 or a $1.5M buyout. As FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal notes, Washington claimed DeJesus on waivers before the two teams worked out a deal. Trading DeJesus to the Nationals will save the Cubs some money:
#Cubs save about $2.5M w trade of DeJesus to #Nationals - about $1M in salary, plus $1.5M buyout. Bogusevic, Sweeney close to coming off DL.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 19, 2013
MLB.com's Bill Ladson speculated on Twitter after the deal that DeJesus will be the Nationals' no.1 pinch hitting option off the bench:
David DeJesus will most likely will be the No. 1 left-handed hitter off the bench for the #Nats. #mlb
— William Ladson (@washingnats) August 19, 2013
The MLB.com Nats beat writer noted in a recent post that Roger Bernadina, who was released today to make room on the roster for DeJesus, had been a disappointment for the team this season, writing that, ".. he not only has problems swinging the bat, but Bernadina has made some fundamental mistakes on the bases," and, "As one evaluator put it, '[general manager Mike] Rizzo has never been a fan of Bernadina’s.'"
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman likes the deal for the Cubs since it saves them significant money:
as @Ken_Rosenthal pointed out, cubs save $2.5M with trade of DeJesus. seems like quite the gift. #gift
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 19, 2013
He also noted that it fills a hole the Nationals have been trying to fill:
#nats person says goal has been to improve bench. dejesus trade helps.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 19, 2013
According to reports from Wrigley Field, where the Nationals and Cubs starta three-game series tonight, DeJesus has already said his goodbyes and switched sides:
Weird watching David DeJesus actually switch sides. Shook hands with Cubs coaches and is walking across Wrigley Field into the other dugout.
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) August 19, 2013
DeJesus, in street clothes, just gave hugs to #Cubs players in their dugout, walked across field and headed into #Nats clubhouse.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) August 19, 2013
And as CSNWashington.com's Mr. Zuckerman notes, Bernadina was the longest-tenured player in the organization before he was released today:
Bernadina was longest-tenured player in #Nats organization. Signed out of Curacao in Nov. 2001 by #Expos GM Jim Beattie.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) August 19, 2013