The Washington Nationals took another step to keep last season’s bench intact by re-signing infielder Stephen Drew to a one-year deal on Thursday.
Drew provides insurance up the middle for a team that has Daniel Murphy at second base and Trea Turner moving to shortstop for the first time in the major leagues. Turner is entering his first season in the major leagues as the starting shortstop — in what will also be his first full season — after the Nationals traded shortstop Danny Espinosa in the offseason.
Drew hit .266 last season for the Nationals, giving them a versatile infielder and left-handed bat off the bench. He also provided manager Dusty Baker with an .864 OPS.
Drew played just 70 games because of vertigo caused by an inner ear issue. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of balance and sight problems a day after he hit a walk-off triple on July 23.
Bringing back Drew returns him to the Nationals’ dugout with fellow benchmates Chris Heisey, Clint Robinson and Jose Lobaton. Heisey was also re-signed in the offseason.
Brian Goodwin, currently on the 25-man roster, was on the team multiple times last season, including when he was called up in September. Michael A. Taylor is another bench option. If Taylor again wins the spot as the fourth outfielder when camp breaks, Washington will have the same bench as it did at the start of last season.
Re-signing the soon-to-be 34-year-old Drew also enables Washington to backup Turner with a veteran and have an option to give Murphy a break in more than one way. Murphy had a gluteus problem at the end of last season, when he finished second in National League MVP voting. Washington can use Drew to give Murphy a full day off or slide Murphy to first base, giving him a break in another way.
Bringing back Drew also means prospect Wilmer Difo will continue to wait his turn in the organization. Difo was called up last season and made 66 plate appearances. He had a solid .743 OPS at the plate. Difo is just 24 years old, so he remains as young insurance behind the three middle infielders on the roster.
Nationals pitchers and catchers are expected to report to the team’s new training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, Feb. 14.
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