While the Cubs are in the process of finalizing a deal for Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, the Cardinals are making moves too:
Sources: Nationals are dealing Matt Adams to the Cardinals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 21, 2018
According to multiple reports on Twitter, the Cardinals have claimed their former farm-hand and big league first baseman, Matt Adams, off waivers from the Nationals and it’s just cash going back to Washington.
Source: The Cardinals acquired Matt Adams via waiver claim.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 21, 2018
If you recall, Adams signed a 1 year/$4M deal with the Nationals over the offseason, and according to Steve Adams (MLBTR), “the Nationals will simply offload the remainder of his salary on the Cardinals in the deal. Adams is still owed about $877K of his $4MM salary through season’s end.”
As for what the Cardinals gained … Adams is a very big negative on defense, even at first, but his bat has come alive this season. Through 94 games (277 PAs), Adams has delivered a .257/.332/.510 slash line (123 wRC+) with 18 homers and a sub-20% strikeout rate. That’ll play.
Of course, it’s worth pointing out that the lefty is completely useless against fellow left-handed pitching (61 wRC+ this season), but crushes righties with ease (133 wRC+). I suppose it’s a good thing Kyle Hendricks is the only right-hander currently in the Cubs rotation. It doesn’t sound like the Nationals are done yet, but the Cardinals just got a pretty big bat for the stretch.
How he’ll work in around Matt Carpenter playing, who’s playing out of his mind and at first base lately, is unclear, but maybe Carpenter will move to third from time to time, pushing Jedd Gyroko to second and Kolton Wong to the bench (or something like that).