And we are off, with the first free agent deal of the offseason apparently in place, as reports indicate free agent pitcher Trevor Rosenthal has agreed to a deal with the Washington Nationals, pending a physical.
Rosenthal, 28, was out of baseball last year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and thus is eligible to sign as a free agent now, while major league free agents don’t officially hit the market and become eligible to talk to other teams until after Friday. Rosenthal spent six years as a reliever for the Cardinals, missing bats at a high rate while also exhibiting some control problems. In 325 career major league innings, he has a 2.99 ERA and a 2.60 FIP.
Rosenthal had a workout earlier in the month that most teams observed, and there was some talk that maybe the Texas Rangers would have interest in him. Instead, it looks like he will have the opportunity to be part of the Nationals’ bullpen in 2019.
UPDATE — Per Jeff Passan, Rosenthal is guaranteed $7 million for 2019, can make up to $14 million with incentives, and has a vesting option for 2020 that could bring the total value up to $30 million.