The Chicago White Sox by all accounts did not have a great season in 2024. Fans knew the White Sox would be bad, but nobody thought they would be as bad as to set the all-time loss record at 121 games.
Last season was the first year of the White Sox rebuild, and the White Sox had some pieces that they traded away to help further the rebuild.
One of those former pieces the White Sox signed was shortstop Paul DeJong. DeJong was signed by the White Sox to be the stopgap at short for whenever top prospect Colosn Montgomery was ready to go.
The Chicago White Sox’s former shortstop finds a new home
According to USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale, the 31-year-old DeJong has found a new home with the Washington Nationals, signing a one-year deal worth $1 million.
“Veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who hit 24 HRs last year, agrees to 1 year, $1 million contract with the Washington Nationals”
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
According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the deal also includes $600k worth of Incentives.
“Paul DeJong to Nats. $1M plus 600K incentives.”
Paul DeJong to Nats. $1M plus 600K incentives. @BNightengale 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 16, 2025
A productive Major League player
DeJong has been a solid player during his nine seasons in Major League Baseball. For his career, DeJong is a lifetime .229/.295/.419 hitter, and has a career OPS and OPS+ of .714 and 93. DeJong signed a one-year free agent contract with the White Sox last season to be the stopgap at short.
The Illinois State University product had a very productive season for the White Sox in 2024, in which he played 102 games. In those 102 games, DeJong had 14 doubles, 18 HRs, and 41 RBI, for a slash line of .228/.275/.430 and an OPS and OPS+ of .706 and 99.
DeJong had such a productive season from an offensive standpoint that the White Sox were able to trade DeJong to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Jarold Rosado.
The Nationals made a great signing
The Nationals will be getting a solid defensive shortstop in DeJong. DeJong last season had a defensive runs save of 4 according to his Baseball Reference page, while ranking in the 84th percentile for his range per his Baseball Savant page.
At this stage in his career, DeJong is a nice right-handed power bat to have coming off the bench.
DeJong can either be a nice defensive replacement off the bench or provide the team with a late-inning homerun, having the power to do so.
Currently, the Nats have CJ Abrams as their starting shortstop, and DeJong will be a great backup to him.
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