Former Kansas City Royals infielder Paul DeJong has latched on with a new team for the 2025 season.
DeJong has reportedly signed with the Washington Nationals. According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale and the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, DeJong’s one-year deal is worth $1 million and has $600K in incentives.
Paul DeJong to Nats. $1M plus 600K incentives. @BNightengale 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 16, 2025
Veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who hit 24 HRs last year, agrees to 1 year, $1 million contract with the Washington Nationals
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 16, 2025
To make room on the Nationals’ 40-man roster for the ex-Royal, the Nats placed right-handed starting pitcher Josiah Gray on the 60-day injured list. The 31-year-old DeJong joined Kansas City at the trade deadline last season.
The Royals acquired the vet from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Jarold Rosado. DeJong slashed .228/.275/.430 with 18 home runs and 41 RBI in 102 games with the White Sox.
With the Royals, the veteran infielder played 30 games (28 starts) at third base after playing 89 games at shortstop and 11 at the hot corner in the Windy City.
DeJong held his own at third base for the Royals, turning six double plays and only committing one error in 74 defensive chances. The versatile infielder also had a .986 field percentage with the Royals at third base, which was higher than what he had with the White Sox (.923).
The veteran infielder slashed .222/.277/.417 at the plate with three doubles, six home runs, and 15 RBI in 37 games (119 plate appearances). DeJong’s BAbip went up to .300 with the Royals after being at .281 with the White Sox.
However, his strikeout percentage increased from 30.9 with the White Sox to 37.0 with Kansas City, which isn’t great. Also, DeJong did a good job working the count, as his base-on-balls percentage went up from 3.9 to 7.6.
With DeJong heading to the NL East, Royals fans will be watching to see who wins the starting third base job in Spring Training.