Paul DeJong DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, free-agent infielder Paul DeJong has signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Washington Nationals. DeJong spent the 2024 campaign playing with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. Across 139 games, DeJong held a .227/.276/.427 line with 24 home runs and two stolen bases. He generated a strong 10.2 percent barrel rate but was unable to make consistent contact. He posted a weak 34.9 percent whiff rate and a 32.4 percent strikeout rate, both well below the average marks. However, this was a slight improvement compared to the .207/.258/.355 line he held during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should expect the 31-year-old to slot in as a depth option in the infield. He should not be targeted in any fantasy formats, as he is not likely to see consistent playing time.

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Minnesota Twins have inquired about free-agent infielders Luis Urias and Paul DeJong. Hayes noted that shortly after the team acquired outfielder Harrison Bader and reliever Danny Coulombe, the focus shifted to adding an infielder. Urias spent his entire 2024 season with the Seattle Mariners. Across 109 games, the 27-year-old posted a .191/.303/.394 line with just four home runs. DeJong began his season with the Chicago White Sox and was eventually shipped to Kansas City. Across 139 contests, the 31-year-old went deep 24 times and posted a .227/.276/.427 slash line. However, he posted a hefty 32.4 percent strikeout rate. If the Twins were to sign one of them, they would be deployed as a rotational piece within the infield and would likely not have a starting role.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have expressed interest in free agent infielder Paul DeJong. The Yankees have been in the infield market all offseason after losing Gleyber Torres to the Detroit Tigers. Over the past week, they have been linked to San Diego's Luis Arraez but have reportedly begun to lose interest. DeJong would provide a much cheaper alternative and would likely see all his time at the hot corner. Last summer, across 139 games with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, DeJong hit 24 home runs with a .227/.276/.427 line. Under the hood, he generated a solid 10.2% barrel rate and a 41.5% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled at the plate, with a hefty 32.4% K rate and a 4.8% walk rate. If he were to head to the Bronx, Jazz Chisholm Jr. would likely spend most of the season at the keystone.