Report: Nats agree to one-year contract with Brad Hand originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
In another addition to their pitching staff, the Nationals appear to have found their new closer.
The Nationals reportedly agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with lefty reliever Brad Hand, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Hand played the last three seasons in Cleveland.
Hand appeared in 23 games during last year's shortened regular season, posting a 2.05 ERA in 22 innings. He led the league in saves with 16 and had zero blown save opportunities. He walked just four batters all season.
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With Washington, Hand figures to replace Sean Doolittle as the team's go-to lefty in the late innings. Washington also has Daniel Hudson and Will Harris as right-handed options to close out games, though it remains to be seen whether manager Davey Martinez will distinguish a single closer.
The Nationals continue to make moves to improve their team for a World Series run in 2021. Along with the Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber acquisitions, the Nats have signed Hand, Jon Lester and Ryan Zimmerman in the last week.
