Nationals Sign Ex-Cardinals Outfielder After Six-Year Stint In St. Louis' Organization
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has placed an emphasis on clearing up the position player logjam throughout the big-league roster this winter.
The Cardinals' biggest cluster resides in the outfield, where playing time will come at a premium. For better or worse, Mozeliak now has one less player to consider.
"Juan Yepez, first baseman, agrees to deal with (Washington Nationals)," the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Wednesday. "Minor league deal."
Yepez hit .240 with 28 extra-base hits including 14 home runs, 32 RBIs and a .705 OPS (97 OPS+) in 104 games for the Cardinals since making his big-league debut in 2022.
The 25-year-old logged 52 games in corner outfield spots, 15 at first base and six at third base during his versatile tenure in St. Louis while hitting at a league-average mark.
Yepez would have been a worthy investment on a minor-league deal as injuries mount quickly and he is capable of filling holes in multiple areas of the roster. That said, the budding slugger likely saw a better chance for playing time with the rebuilding Nationals squad.
Assuming he can find his way onto Washington's big-league roster, he'll get to oppose his old friends in a three-game series starting on July 5. Yepez's return to Busch Stadium will come shortly after, on July 26.
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