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Report: Nationals agree to 2-year, $21M deal with Wieters

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

Matt Wieters has found a new home, and it's just a short drive down the I-95.

The Washington Nationals reportedly agreed to a two-year, $21-million deal with the veteran catcher, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Wieters will reportedly earn $10 million in 2017 and will have the chance to opt out after year one.

Wieters spent his entire eight-year career with the Baltimore Orioles before hitting free agency this winter. During his time with the club, he earned four All-Star appearances and a pair of Gold Gloves.

The 30-year-old was the top catcher on the market this winter and the best remaining free agent available despite coming off a down year in which he hit .243/.302/.409 with 17 home runs, 17 doubles, and 66 RBIs in 124 games.

Wieters rattled off three straight 20-plus homer seasons from 2011-2013 but his production's dipped since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2014. He still remains a strong defensive catcher, throwing out 35 percent of base stealers last season.

YEAR GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG
2016 124 17 66 .243/.302/.409
2015 75 8 25 .267/.319/.422
2014 26 5 18 .308/.339/.500

Wieters will take over as the Nationals' starting catcher, leaving offseason acquisition Derek Norris and Jose Lobaton to compete for backup duties. The club could also use one of them as trade bait.

The Nationals lost last year's starting catcher, Wilson Ramos, to free agency this winter after he signed a two-year, $12.5-million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

It's believed the Rays were also interested in Wieters on a one-year deal.

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