The signing: The Washington Nationals have reportedly signed right-hander Yusmeiro Petit to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. The deal contains a $3 million team option for 2017 that features a $500,000 buyout.
The reason: Heading into the winter meetings, the Nationals' top priority was to address a bullpen that's in extreme disarray. As chaotic as things are in the back end, where both Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen are being shopped after tumultuous seasons, the holes in the middle might be just as glaring, if not more. Swingman Craig Stammen, who from 2012 to 2014 threw more innings than any reliever in baseball, was non-tendered following an April arm injury that cost him most of last season, and Aaron Barrett is out for next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September.
The impact: Petit will likely slide into the Swiss Army utility role previously occupied by Stammen. In 41 relief appearances with the Giants last season, he threw 70 innings, so he clearly has the stamina to go long. He can also work out of the rotation if needed: The 31-year old Petit has made at least one start in each of his eight big-league seasons, going 16-23 with a 4.96 ERA in 57 outings. Along with lefty Oliver Perez, whom Washington signed last week, Petit gives new Nationals manager Dusty Baker a veteran presence in a bullpen that's starving for stability.
Petit also provides Baker with some insurance for the back end of his rotation. Even though Joe Ross and Tanner Roark are projected as the fourth and fifth starters for next season, the Nats were rumored Wednesday to be in the mix for free-agent hurler Mike Leake, an indication that GM Mike Rizzo might not be overly confident in the current starting five. The Petit signing gives Baker some flexibility in case Ross or Roark falters. That said, it still wouldn't be a surprise to see the Nats -- who dropped $210 million on Max Scherzer last offseason despite not having an obvious need in the rotation -- pony up for a free-agent starter at some point this winter.