Friday morning the Washington Nationals agreed to contract terms with veteran Kevin Frandsen on a 1-year contract worth $1 million plus $300,000 in possible incentives. This agreement allows them to avoid contract arbitration, as Frandsen was entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, and gives him a nifty $100,000 raise from his $900,000 salary in 2014. Frandsen signed with Washington late in spring training last year after asking for, and receiving, his release from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 32-year-old Frandsen slugged .259/.299/.309 with 1 home run in 220 at-bats last season while seeing action at first, second, and third base along with left field for the Nationals. A career .259/.313/.350 hitter, Frandsen has played each position except pitcher, center field and catcher during his major league career, and is so versatile he served as the team’s emergency catcher in 2014. In addition Frandsen showed a knack for pinch-hitting last season, producing 11 hits, tied for 10th in the NL. A valuable clubhouse leader, much of Frandsen’s value lies in his defensive versatility and locker room contributions.

Much like free beer, it is difficult to complain about a 1-year $1mm contract for a major league veteran. That said I might have preferred to see a younger player like Jeff Kobernus or Tyler Moore in this reserve capacity at half the salary next season: their skills are more apparent on the diamond than Frandsen’s veteran presence in the clubhouse. Nevertheless with this signing and the return of Jose Lobaton and Nate McLouth, the Nationals should possess the core of a strong, versatile bench which is a terrific asset to assist the veteran starting lineup. Though far from a blockbuster deal, Washington did well to re-sign Frandsen quickly and avoid an expensive, time consuming arbitration hearing next spring.

Overall NatsGM Grade -> B-/C+
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In another unrelated move also on Friday, the Nationals released former 2011 3rd round selection LHP Matt Purke, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old pitcher was a prized over-slot draft pick three years ago, receiving a $2.75mm signing bonus and a Major League contract worth $4.15mm at the time.  Purke possessed one more season of minor league options due to signing a professional contract as an amateur, before being exposed to waivers.  Therefore, rather than carry him on the roster all winter, the Nationals decided to cut their losses and release him early in the offseason.

Purke was selected in the 1st round out of high school in 2009, but after some unusual circumstances in negotiations with the Texas Rangers, eventually enrolled at Texas Christian University. Armed with a powerful mid-90s fastball and a hammer mid-80s slider, Purke dominated college baseball as a freshman in 2010 and had scouts projecting a future #2 starter in the big leagues. Ever since then, Purke has struggled to stay on the mound, battling arm tendonitis along with undergoing left shoulder and Tommy John surgeries. These setbacks have allowed him to pitch only 136.2 professional innings since being drafted, only 31.1 above A-ball, with a career 5.00 ERA, 7.8 K/9, and 3.6 BB/9.

Due to his age and former excellence, Purke will certainly find another organization willing to gamble on him this winter, perhaps even the Nationals, as a minor league free agent. However, the days of a possible mid-rotation starter pitcher are over, as Purke will now attempt to rebuild himself as a left-handed reliever. Purke was a shrewd risk/reward draft pick three years ago, but a terrific reminder that prospects, especially pitchers, do not always work out. While teams must continue to stockpile elite talent, for every success like Jordan Zimmermann there will be far more that fail to pan out like Mike Hinckley, Josh Smoker and Matt Purke.