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The rumors surrounding Matt Wieters and the Nats never seemed to die. For a while, it seemed pointless — the Nats were never going to sign him, right?
Wrong.
Earlier this morning, Jon Heyman of Fanrag Sports broke the news that the Nats and Wieters were close to a deal.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal confirmed the deal and broke the terms of the contract, while Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post added the news that $5M of the contract is deferred.
The move also leaves a few questions to be answered. For instance, what will the Nats do with Derek Norris or Pedro Severino? Will they trade either to the White Sox for David Robertson, or make another move?
The Twittersphere, needless to say, had some interesting reactions, ranging from excited, to making fun of the Orioles, to a less optimistic view of the future.
all your catchers belong to us @Orioles pic.twitter.com/W6y9Geufhj
— JWerth's Beard (@JWerthsBeard) February 21, 2017
With the Matt Wieters signing...
— Ely Sussman (@RealEly) February 21, 2017
Opening Day 2017, Nats repped by Boras and/or repped by him when acquired by team.@HighHeatStats pic.twitter.com/io0PJaHNSi
can't believe Matt Wieters is gonna be the Nats closer
— Mina (@maddc8) February 21, 2017
Matt Wieters home run spray chart since 2008 overlaid at @Nationals Park. pic.twitter.com/uDBdrOduLC
— Daren Willman (@darenw) February 21, 2017
Potential Nats lineup
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) February 21, 2017
Eaton
Turner
Harper
Murphy
Rendon
Werth
Zimmerman
Wieters
Career triples:
— Jacob Rasch (@serious_jammage) February 21, 2017
Trea Turner: 8
Matt Wieters: 5
Adding Matt Wieters would be ___________. #nats
— The Nats Blog (@TheNatsBlog) February 21, 2017
@TheNatsBlog a new and exciting challenge for the training staff
— Jimmy G. (@LeonTrout) February 21, 2017