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Nats Make a Couple of Minor-League Signs

This may be a little bit old, but it’s January and we take what we can get…

Earlier this week, the Nats announced two signings:

  • RHP Ivan Armstrong
  • OF Carlos De La Cruz

Both were added to the Red Wings roster. Neither were invited to spring training as an NRI.

Armstrong split time between AA and AAA for the Dodgers, making 32 total appearances with a record of 7-4, an ERA of 3.41 and a WHIP of 1.38. He’ll turn 24 in July.

De La Cruz also split time between AA and AAA but for the Phillies. He posted a line of .234/.302/.367 with 11HR and 53RBI in 113 games.

As noted in the comments, former prospect Joan Adon was DFA’d to make room for free-agent signee OF Amed Rosario. If he clears waivers, he’ll likely join the (motley) crew in Rochester.

12 Commments

      1. Oh wow! Let’s hope he follows Aaron Judge’s developmental path, who was also a late bloomer.

        1. I was going to make a similar comment about Armstrong being “only” 6’5″ (and 247 lbs.), yet he’ll be the runt in the bullpen.

          He was actually with the Angels. Armstrong had solid numbers at AA but struggled in a SSS at altitude in AAA.

          De la Cruz is indeed 6’8″ but only 208, so he’s going to have to bulk up to play power forward. He had 24 homers at AA in 2023 but struggled with promotion to AAA in 2024.

          Both of these guys were international signees and have been playing pro ball since 2018 so are minor-league free agents, despite being not particularly old. Certainly worth kicking the tires on them. I would suspect that De la Cruz might be sent to Harrisburg as the Rochester OF seems pretty full.

  2. I thought that Adon had already been outrighted once? If so, then he would be able to refuse the assignment to AAA and become a free agent once he clears waivers. If not, please disregard this comment.

    1. John, my mind agrees with your thought, but I don’t find a previous DFA in Adon’s long list of transactions:

      https://www.milb.com/player/joan-adon-672851

      The Nats’ fascination with Adon has been weird. They added him to the 40-man to protect him from Rule 5 when there was absolutely no chance that he would be taken. They then rushed him to the majors too early and kept him there too long. No one should be made to endure a 1-12 season with a 7.10 ERA — not the player or the fans!

  3. Sorry, if this was previously posted, but is there a list of non-roster Nats that have been invited to MLB Spring Training?

      1. We’re getting to the point where a lot of the guys who have been holding out hope for a major-league deal will give up and start taking minor-league contracts plus Spring Training invite.

  4. Other transactions I’m seeing on the Rochester site:

    Nats sign Junior Santos (6′ 7” relief pitcher played in AA last year)
    Nick Pogue retired.

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