The Nationals have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Amed Rosario, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $2 million, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Rosario, 29, is one of a number of veteran acquisitions the Nationals have made this offseason, joining first basemen Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell and pitchers Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams.
Most of Rosario’s defensive appearances have come at shortstop during his time in the Majors. But with CJ Abrams stationed at short and Luis García Jr. at second base, it’s possible the Nationals will give Rosario an opportunity to earn regular playing time at third base. Last season, 23-year-old José Tena made a strong impression at the hot corner, but he could benefit from more time to develop in Triple-A if Rosario gets the nod. This, while Nationals top third-base prospect Brady House (Nats No. 3, MLB No. 84 overall) works toward his big league debut.
Rosario also could fill the role of veteran utility infielder following the departure of “glue guy” Ildemaro Vargas.
Rosario spent time with the Rays, Dodgers and Reds in 2024, slashing .280/.306/.380 with three homers, 32 RBIs and 13 steals in 103 games. He made 15 appearances at the hot corner last season after never appearing there over his first seven seasons as a member of the Mets, Guardians and Dodgers. A versatile defender, Rosario also played 27 games at second base, 26 games in right field and 14 games at shortstop last year.
A former highly touted prospect with the Mets, Rosario spent four seasons with New York before being sent to Cleveland as part of a trade package for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco in January 2021. Rosario had a career year for the Guardians in 2022, hitting .283 with 11 homers, 71 RBIs, 18 steals and 4.2 WAR (per Baseball-Reference), but he has produced 0.4 WAR combined in 245 games over the past two seasons.
Overall, Rosario has slashed .273/.308/.398 with 63 homers, 366 RBIs, 109 steals and 10.2 WAR across eight big league seasons. He has played 28 games at Nationals Park over his career.
To make room for Rosario on Washington’s 40-man roster, right-hander Joan Adon was designated for assignment. Adon, 26, debuted with the Nats in the 2021 season finale in a start against the Red Sox where he recorded nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He went 3-16 in 35 appearances (26 starts) from 2021-24. In addition to DFA’ing Adon, this offseason the Nats non-tendered right-handers Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey, and they also traded southpaw Robert Garcia to the Rangers for Lowe.