Washington Nationals Signing Former Cardinals Infielder Paul DeJong to 1-Year Deal

Paul DeJong joining the Washington Nationals marks six teams in three seasons for the shortstop who spent the first seven years of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong (29) throws to first base to retire Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards (not pictured) during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a deal with veteran infielder Paul DeJong, USA Today's Bob Nightengale was first to report Sunday morning.

DeJong is set to sign a one-year, $1 million contract, per Nightengale.

The 31-year-old finished out the 2024 season with the Kansas City Royals after getting traded by the Chicago White Sox at the deadline. On the whole last year, he hit .227 with 24 home runs, 56 RBIs, a .703 OPS, -8 defensive runs saved and a 0.9 WAR across 139 games.

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

DeJong was once one of baseball's most promising young shortstops, finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017. He was named an All-Star and a Gold Glove finalists in 2019, blasting 30 home runs while posting 24 defensive runs saved and a 5.3 WAR.

Through his age-25 season, DeJong was a .251 hitter with a .785 OPS, averaging 31 home runs, 35 doubles, 89 RBIs, 12 defensive runs saved and a 4.6 WAR per 162 games.

DeJong's production soon fell off, though, as he has hit .208 with a .648 OPS in the five seasons since. His 162-game averages have dropped to 22 home runs, 18 doubles, 63 RBIs, one defensive run saved and a 0.9 WAR, as well.

The Cardinals punted on DeJong midway through 2023, trading the infielder to the Toronto Blue Jays just before his record-breaking six-year, $26 million contract was set to expire. The Blue Jays then released DeJong, who got scooped up by the San Francisco Giants.

DeJong made $6.9 million in 2024, between his $1.75 million salary with the White Sox, his $150K bonus for reaching 400 plate appearances, his $3 million buyout from the Cardinals and his $2 million buyout from the Blue Jays. For his career, DeJong has made roughly $30.8 million.

The Nationals have CJ Abrams in place as their shortstop of the future, so DeJong is unlikely to unseat him there. He can serve as Abrams' backup for the time being, on top of competing for time at third base with José Tena and Amed Rosario.

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