Nats sign local product Mervis to minor league deal

Santa Claus isn’t the only one who is busy on this Christmas Eve. The Nationals made a move to add depth to the roster after checking their offseason wish list twice.

The Nats have signed first baseman Matt Mervis to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, per a source, adding depth to a position of need. The New York Post was first to report the signing.

Mervis, 27, was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Potomac, Md. He played high school baseball at Georgetown Prep, with the Nats originally drafting him in the 39th round in the 2016 MLB Draft. But he didn’t sign with the team and instead decided to play collegiately at Duke.

He went undrafted in the five-round 2020 MLB Draft, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and signed with the Cubs as a free agent.

After making his major league debut on May 5, 2023, he went on to play 27 games with the North Siders, hitting .167 with a .531 OPS, three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Mervis only played in nine major league games with the Cubs in 2024 and was traded that December to the Marlins in exchange for Vidal Bruján. He made Miami’s Opening Day roster this year and tied the Marlins' franchise record with six home runs in his first 13 games of the season, including one apiece in back-to-back games against his hometown team.

But his production slowed after that, leading to him being designated for assignment on May 30, clearing waivers and joining Triple-A Jacksonville. The Marlins released Mervis on Aug. 4 and he signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks on Aug. 12 before becoming a free agent again in November.

Over his 78 major league games across three seasons with the Cubs and Marlins, he slashed .165/.238/.322 with a .560 OPS, 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. He hasn’t impressed defensively either, with -3 Defensive Runs Saved at first base over his three big league seasons.

But Mervis isn’t coming home to immediately start at first base. He adds depth to the position and has an opportunity to compete for the big league job in spring training. He joins Andrés Chaparro and Trey Lipscomb, along with prospects Yohandy Morales, Sam Brown, Branden Boissiere and Ethan Petry as in-house first base options currently in the organization. The Nats may also decide to give second baseman Luis García Jr. and backup catcher Riley Adams a look at first.

New president of baseball operations Paul Toboni is likely still looking for an outside option at first base even after adding Mervis as a depth piece.

This isn’t the first time the Nationals have made a move for a first baseman on Christmas Eve, either. Former general manager Mike Rizzo acquired Josh Bell from the Pirates for two prospects on Dec. 24, 2020.

Just as it is with Santa, there are no days off in baseball.