Eight Washington Nationals officially become free agents

Matt Belisle, Sean Burnett, Stephen Drew, Chris Heisey, Mat Latos, Mark Melancon, Wilson Ramos and Marc Rzepczynski were eight of 139 major league players who became free agents today, as noted in a press release by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

As of 12:01 AM EST Tuesday, November 8, 2016, all 139 have the right to negotiate with any major league team.

Until then, however, only the Nationals can negotiate with the eight players listed above.

Belisle, 36, signed a 1-year/$1.25M deal with the Nationals last winter, and put up a 1.76 ERA, a 2.84 FIP, seven walks (1.37 BB/9) and 32 Ks (6.26 K/9) in 46 IP.

Burnett, 34, pitched for the Braves, Twins, Dodgers and Nationals’ Triple-A affiliates this season and returned to the majors for the first time since 2014 late, throwing 5 ²⁄₃ out of the Nats’ bullpen in September.

Stephen Drew missed time with symptoms of vertigo, but finished the season with a .266/.339/.524 line, 11 doubles and eight home runs in 70 games and 165 PAs after he and the Nationals agreed on a 1-year/$3M free agent deal last December.

Chris Heisey, 31, put up a .216/.290/.446 line with three doubles and nine home runs in 83 games and 155 PAs after signing a 1-year/$1.25M free agent deal with Washington.

Mat Latos signed with the Nationals in late June after he was released by the Chicago White Sox, and he returned to the majors in early September, going (7-3) overall on the season with a 4.89 ERA, a 5.32 FIP, 30 walks (3.86 BB/9) and 42 Ks (5.40 K/9) in 17 games, 12 starts and 70 IP.

Mark Melancon, 31, was acquired by the Nationals from the Pirates before the non-waiver trade deadline after he avoided arbitration by signing a 1-year/$9.65M last January.

In 75 games and 71 ¹⁄₃ IP between Pittsburgh and Washington in 2016, the closer saved 47 games and put up a 1.64 ERA, a 2.42 FIP, 12 walks (1.50 BB/9) and 65 Ks (8.20 K/9).

Ramos, 29, put up a .307/.354/.496 line with 25 doubles and 22 HRs in 131 games and 523 PAs for the Nationals after he avoided arbitration by agreeing on a 1-year/$5.35M deal. He injured his right knee late this season, however, and underwent surgery on his ACL (and meniscus and lateral meniscus) for the second time in his career.

The National have to decide whether or not to make a qualifying offer to Ramos, which would be worth 1-year/$17.2M, or allow him to become a free agent with no draft pick as compensation.

Rzepczynski, 31, was acquired from the Oakland A’s in late August.

The veteran left-hander put up a 2.64 ERA, a 3.57 FIP, 29 walks (5.48 BB/9) and 46 Ks (8.69 K/9) in 47 ²⁄₃ IP after the A’s acquired him from the San Diego Padres and signed him to a 1-year/$2.95M deal, avoiding arbitration.