Nationals Add Depth With Adam Lind

The Nationals added a bench bat with some power in Adam Lind. He'll make $1 million in 2017 with a mutual option for 2018 that includes a $500,000 buyout. The 33 year old first baseman hit at least 20 home runs in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016, and he does possess the ability to get on base. The left handed hitter hits right handed pitching much better than he does fellow lefties, so the only foreseeable way for him to start regularly is if first baseman Ryan Zimmerman gets injured. As of now, it looks like he could get some starts at first against right handed pitchers to give Zim a break, and there is a chance he gives Jayson Werth the occasional break in left field, though he hasn't played the outfield since 2010. This move likely leaves Clint Robinson without a role going forward. Last season was one of the worst of Lind's career, as he did hit 20 home runs but knocked just 17 doubles, walked 26 times, and batted .239 over 126 games for the Mariners. He was much better in 2015 with the Brewers, where he hit 20 home runs and 32 doubles, walked 66 times, and batted .277 over 149 games. For his career, the Indiana native out of the University of South Alabama has 186 home runs, 245 doubles, 12 triples, and a .271 batting average over 1228 games.