DeJong: De New Guy in De Infield

[Smithian]

If DeJong is here to act as a marginal upgrade over Jose Tena, that nukes my "Genuinely interested to watch the entire starting lineup!" talking point that's got me through this of an offseason

[IdahoNat]

1 million for a 1 year deal? Hmmm, I'd be happier with the million

[IanRubbish]

If DeJong is here to act as a marginal upgrade over Jose Tena, that nukes my "Genuinely interested to watch the entire starting lineup!" talking point that's got me through this of an offseason

He's a lottery ticket Rizzo hopes to cash in for something, anything, at the deadline.

I'm genuinely interested to see how many of these 1 year contract and arb eligible guys are still Nats in August.

[imref]

He's a lottery ticket Rizzo hopes to cash in for something, anything, at the deadline.

I'm genuinely interested to see how many of these 1 year contract and arb eligible guys are still Nats in August.

If DeJong is still here in August it means House isn't ready.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It is a no confidence vote on Tena, but that's not to say it's not an upgrade. If anything, it's more of a better short-term improvement rather than a "we don't care about 2025" signing. Ideally, somebody steals his job due to strong performance rather than having this be a hope to flip him signing.

While he was flipped last deadline, so he's capable of being something teams would want, the $1 million is probably a good sign of his current value to teams. More or less, replacement player but still an upgrade over our awful short-term 3rd base situation.

[Slateman]

It's really wild that Rizzo went from letting the young guys play to signing a 31 year old journey man to be your OD starter at a position he has a whopping 328 innings at in his 8 year career.

[Smithian]

It's really wild that Rizzo went from letting the young guys play to signing a 31 year old journey man to be your OD starter at a position he has a whopping 328 innings at in his 8 year career.

We don't know he's a starter yet. The $1 million contract isn't locking him into any role.  The low number makes me cautiously optimistic he isn't starting OD.

More I think about it, less I'm irritated by this pickup. The Nats are lefty heavy and low on power. DeJong is a righty bat who can run into a ball and put it over the wall. DeJong hit better than I remember last year and he makes sense as a late inning PH you hope can put a ball over the wall and still can slot into one of a few spots the next half inning. I can live with that easily -- in fact, that scenario makes me really like the signing even if Nationals were trying to compete. On other hand, if he is penciled in as a starter .... 

Additionally, Paul DeJong seems like a good guy and an adult. Seems like a nerd from science and baseball stuff during COVID-19. Rizzo may want an extra adult taking part during infield drills and practice.

[IanRubbish]

If DeJong is still here in August it means House isn't ready.

He won't be here in August.  He'll be traded or DFA'd, they're not paying him enough to keep him around.  He's more Senzel than Gallo in terms of financial commitment.

Now he had a putrid 7:1 K/BB ratio last year, Amed Rosario had an 8:1 K/BB, and Tena nearly a 6:1 K/BB.  So whoever's at 3B will be contributing to another season where the opposing starter throws fewer pitches than the Nats starter in the first 4-5 innings of most games. 

[Smithian]

He won't be here in August.  He'll be traded or DFA'd, they're not paying him enough to keep him around.  He's more Senzel than Gallo in terms of financial commitment.

Now he had a putrid 7:1 K/BB ratio last year, Amed Rosario had an 8:1 K/BB, and Tena nearly a 6:1 K/BB.  So whoever's at 3B will be contributing to another season where the opposing starter throws fewer pitches than the Nats starter in the first 4-5 innings of most games. 

The Nationals have been really low on Ks last couple seasons.

DeJong's signing is growing on me for fact I'd like one guy who can be expected to occasionally put a baseball over the wall. We have enough light hitters in the bottom of the lineup who are good at hitting soft groundballs that need some luck to get them on base.

[IanRubbish]

The Nationals have been really low on Ks last couple seasons.

DeJong's signing is growing on me for fact I'd like one guy who can be expected to occasionally put a baseball over the wall. We have enough light hitters in the bottom of the lineup who are good at hitting soft groundballs that need some luck to get them on base.

Joey Gallo could put a baseball over the wall.  The guys who need to do that this year are Wood, Crews, and Lowe, and to a lesser extent Luis Garcia.  None of these 3B candidates get on base enough to justify a consistent presence in the lineup. 

[Smithian]

Joey Gallo could put a baseball over the wall.  The guys who need to do that this year are Wood, Crews, and Lowe, and to a lesser extent Luis Garcia.  None of these 3B candidates get on base enough to justify a consistent presence in the lineup. 

I wouldn't have minded Joey Gallo if he was making $1 million/year and if he was glued to the bench except for pinch hitting opportunities.

I'm defending Paul DeJong as a bench option. Joey Gallo was starting opening day and batting in the middle of the order. Different expectations.

[nobleisthyname]

I suppose this means either Tena starts the season in AAA or they go with a 4-man outfield. The latter is more defensible given all of the OD outfield starters have CF experience.

[Air Desmond]

Dejong is the new Nick Senzel. So much dead weight and easy outs in this lineup. Frustrating to watch. If we are truly embracing “Next Gen Natitude”, call up Hassell and House. Give Tena some at bats.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dejong is the new Nick Senzel. So much dead weight and easy outs in this lineup. Frustrating to watch. If we are truly embracing “Next Gen Natitude”, call up Hassell and House. Give Tena some at bats.

this guy is so much better in the field than Senzel or Tena. Offensively, he needs to connect (like last year) to justify the low OBP. I expected him to be about .230, with few BBs, and some power. A homer or two would let me feel he's doing what's projected.

We are still in the too small sample size stage of the season. If we were slicing and dicing the schedule and posting before last night, DeJong's season line would have been respectable - .308 / .357 / .462, with a 131 wRC+. We just can't let one night and small samples distort the way we see players now.
 https://www.fangraphs.com/players/paul-dejong/18015/game-log?position=SS&gds=2025-02-01&gde=2025-03-31&season=&type=0

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Just bring up House. My lord this is stupid.

[imref]

Tena starting at third today