Major League Baseball free-agent market is starting to unravel, and Brad Hand is the latest player to sign a contract. The Washington Nationals and closer Brad Hand have agreed to a one-year contract worth $10.5 million. The 2019 World Series champions are looking to reload their bullpen and adding a closer like Hand, who has been mighty good for Cleveland, helps them.
The two sides agreed after initial rumors had the Mets also in on the closer, but he ultimately chose to sign with the Nationals. Jeff Passan of ESPN tweeted out the signing.
Closer Brad Hand and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
Hand winds up with more than his option and will be the Nationals’ new closer.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 25, 2021
He will come into Washington, where he will be the closer and be able to get to work immediately, closing out ballgames. Hand has been with Cleveland since being traded there from the Padres during the 2018 season. He was an all-star in 2019; that season, he posted a 3.30 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, punched out 84 opposing hitters, and notched 34 saves.
In 2020, Cleveland used Hand as their workhorse, where he had a league-leading 16 saves with a 2.05 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP, and 29 punchouts over 22 innings pitched. He will now look to find similar success once again in the National League after he began his career in the NL with the Florida/Miami Marlins and Padres.
