Washington Nationals: Trading for Kurt Suzuki Will Help Them Down the Stretch

The Washington Nationals have traded for catcher Kurt Suzuki and cash from the Oakland Athletics in return for minor-league catcher David Freitas according to Ben Nicholson-Smith at MLB Trade Rumors.

This is a smart move for the guys in the District of Columbia.

Suzuki has been having a very difficult season at the plate with a .218 batting average and only one home run with 18 RBI.

The Nationals don't really need him to provide offense though. They need him to take some of their time behind the plate so that their entire roster is well rested for the playoffs.

Jesus Flores is kind of like Suzuki behind the plate with a similarly modest .225 batting average combined with three home runs and 18 RBI.

On top of that, we know that Suzuki is in the middle of probably his worst professional season. He has hit double-digit home runs in each of the past three seasons, and he even drove in 88 runs in 2009. Maybe he will be able to rebound for the last few months of the season.

Playing an entire season behind the plate is a difficult endeavor, and both Suzuki and Flores must be at least a little bit tired. Together, they will be able to provide the Nationals with a very similar package of skills in every game.

The Washington Nationals are without a doubt committed to doing whatever they can to win the World Series this year, and bringing in more depth behind the plate is a great way to do that.

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