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Washington Nationals add infield depth in Dee Strange-Gordon

By David Hill

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon (6) returns to the dugout after the second inning of the MLB Cactus League Spring Training game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, March 1, 2021.Cincinnati Reds At Oakland Athletics Spring Training
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon (6) returns to the dugout after the second inning of the MLB Cactus League Spring Training game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, March 1, 2021.Cincinnati Reds At Oakland Athletics Spring Training /
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The Washington Nationals have not been particularly active in free agency. They did sign Cesar Hernandez in their hope to fill a void at second, but the middle of their infield is still suspect. The duo of Hernandez and Alcides Escobar is not exactly anything that will cause opposing pitchers to have nightmares.

The Nationals have picked up some depth to their infield. On Saturday, they signed Dee Strange-Gordon to a minor league contract and will presumably invite him to spring training.

Dee Strange-Gordon provides depth for Washington Nationals

Strange-Gordon essentially made a tour of the minors in the NL Central in 2021. He spent time in the Reds, Brewers, Cubs, and Pirates organizations respectively, although he failed to make a major league appearance last year.

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There was a time when Strange-Gordon was a solid major league option. From 2014 through 2017, he was one of the more dangerous leadoff men in the game, a two time All Star who led the National League in steals three times. He posted a .304/.336/.382 batting line in his 2344 plate appearances, hitting 75 doubles and scoring 341 runs while stealing 212 bases. Those numbers likely would have been better, but he also missed 80 games in 2016 due to a PED suspension.

The 2017 season also effectively marked his last year as a productive major leaguer. He struggled to get on base following a trade to the Mariners, negating his greatest asset in his speed. While he became more of a utility man, his defensive versatility could only go so far as his bat continued to fade.

For the Nationals, Strange-Gordon is a reasonable lottery ticket. He provides more proven depth at both middle infield spots than they had but is hardly a given himself. If he can get close to returning to the form he showed during his heyday, the Nationals could have a solid super utility man to move around the diamond.

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The Washington Nationals have added depth to their roster in Dee Strange-Gordon. He may have a chance at a utility spot after spending 2020 in the minors.

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