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Report: Nationals unlikely to go beyond 1-year deal for Wieters

Tommy Gilligan / USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals didn't aggressively pursue Matt Wieters this offseason to replace Wilson Ramos, and with their first spring workout for pitchers and catchers scheduled for Thursday, the club doesn't seem any more inclined to splurge for the 30-year-old free agent.

Though the club has maintained interest in Wieters, even after acquiring Derek Norris from the San Diego Padres in a January trade, a source told ESPN's Jayson Stark on Wednesday it's doubtful the club would offer him anything beyond a one-year deal.

Wieters, however, is likely looking for a multi-year contract after earning his fourth career All-Star selection in 2016. Last summer, after Tommy John surgery limited him to just 101 games over the previous two seasons, Wieters managed 1.7 WAR while hitting .243/.302/.409 with 17 homers in 124 games.

The Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, and Tampa Bay Rays have also been linked to Wieters - who wasn't extended a $17.2-million qualifying offer by the Baltimore Orioles after accepting the club's QO last winter - but his agent, Scott Boras, suggested last week that the market for his client only started developing toward the beginning of February.

"I've always found with catching that the reason catchers sign late is that teams get to look at all the things that they've done with their team and say, 'Who is a difference-maker? Who makes me a postseason team?'" Boras told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "There are few catchers in the game that can raise young pitchers and closers like Matt Wieters. That is of tremendous value to major-league teams."

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