ERIC THAMES NEWS

Dozen MLB players have options turned down, go free

What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract o...

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • Associated Press

Nats decline options for Kendrick, Eaton, Sánchez, Thames The Washington Nationals declined 2021 club options on right fielder Adam Eaton and right-handed starter Aníbal Sánchez on Wednesday, and declined their part of mutual options for...

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Nats decline options for Kendrick, Eaton, Sánchez, Thames

The Washington Nationals have declined 2021 club options on right fielder Adam Eaton and right-handed starter Aníbal Sánchez

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • Associated Press

Nationals decline options for Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, Aníbal Sánchez and Eric Thames All four veterans are officially free agents as the MLB offseason begins.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Nationals decline option Thames' club portion of his mutual contract option was declined by the Nationals on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Thames could still elect to remain with the club on a $4 million deal for a second season, but he'll be owed $1 million if he declines his player option. The 33-year-old slashed .203/.300/.317 with three home runs and 12 RBI while appearing in 41 games during the shortened 2020 season.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Game 1 Thames isn't in the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Impact Thames' playing time has decreased significantly in recent games, and he'll take a seat once again for Saturday's matinee. Yadiel Hernandez will take over as the designated hitter.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time drying up Thames is not in Thursday's lineup against the Mets.

Impact Thames has started just one game since Sept. 20. Kurt Suzuki will stat at designated hitter while batting third.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday Thames isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Phillies.

Impact Thames will retreat to the bench Wednesday for the fourth time in the last five games, even with right-hander Zach Eflin starting for Philadelphia. Asdrubal Cabrera will take over at first base.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against righty Thames will sit Monday against the Phillies.

Impact Thames sits despite a righty (Zack Wheeler) taking the hill for the Phillies. It's just the third time all season the veteran has found himself on the bench against a right-hander. With Thames, who's 33 years old and will be a free agent next season, hitting just .208/.296/.325 on the year, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the struggling defending champions plan for next season and give more at-bats to younger options in the final week of the year. That's not actually what they're doing Monday, though, as 34-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera starts at first base while 32-year-old Brock Holt serves as the designated hitter.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Thames reaches boiling point near end of frustrating 2020 campaign for Nationals’ first baseman... Eric Thames couldn’t catch a low throw from Carter Kieboom late in Sunday’s game in Miami, and it cost the Nationals the game...

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • FEDERALBASEBALL.COM

Padres win, back in playoffs for 1st time in 14 years

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • Associated Press

Not starting Game 2 Thames is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Impact Thames went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and committed a crucial error during Game 1, and he'll stick on the bench for the nightcap with lefty Braxton Garrett on the mound for Miami. Jake Noll receives the start at first base in Game 2 for Washington.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Suzuki, Nats bounce back, bop Marlins 15-0 to split twinbill

Kurt Suzuki homered and doubled to bounce back from a game-ending strikeout in the opener, and the Washington Nationals routed the playoff-contending Miami Marlins 15-0 to split a...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • Associated Press

Gets breather during nightcap Thames isn't starting Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Impact Thames reached base twice during the first game of Friday's doubleheader, and he'll take a seat for Game 2. Jake Noll will start at first base in his absence.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Wednesday's lineup Thames is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rays.

Impact The expectation is that lefty Josh Fleming will be the Rays' primary pitcher in this one. Even so, Thames is hitting .212 with a .257 OBP and a 37.1 percent strikeout rate this month, continuing what has been a pretty disappointing season for the perceived slugger. Nobody expected Thames to hit for a high average, but his .296 OBP and .339 SLG on the season are well below expectations.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Braves beat Nationals 2-1 behind Anderson's strong outing

Rookie Ian Anderson allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves held on to beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 after closer Mark Melancon esca...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • Associated Press

Nationals outlast Braves 8-7 on Taylor's single in 12th

Michael A

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • Associated Press

On bench against lefty Thames sits Tuesday against lefty Ryan Yarbrough and the Rays.

Impact Thames has yet to start against a single southpaw this season. Given that he's hitting just .212/.291/.323 on the year, it's easier to see him losing at-bats against righties than it is to see him gaining playing time against lefties. Asdrubal Cabrera will be the first baseman Tuesday.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Out of the box: Umps eject Nats GM Rizzo from luxury suite

Now this was an out-of-the-box ejection in the big leagues

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • Associated Press

Sits against southpaw Thames will not start Saturday against Atlanta.

Impact It's no surprise to see Thames on the bench with a lefty (Max Fried) on the mound for the opposition. Whether or not Thames loses playing time against righties as well down the stretch remains to be seen. Carter Kieboom was recalled Saturday and starts at third base, pushing Asdrubal Cabrera to first.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Comes up big in nightcap Friday Thames went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

Impact After sitting during the matinee, Thames hit fifth in the nightcap and helped the Nats to a 10-9 win. The 33-year-old should continue to hold down the strong side of a platoon at first base with Asdrubal Cabrera despite a poor .209/.294/.330 slash line on the season.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for afternoon game Thames will sit for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

Impact Thames hits the bench with the left-handed Tommy Milone set to start for Atlanta. He'll likely return for the nightcap against righty Josh Tomlin.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against righty Thames will sit Wednesday against the Phillies.

Impact For the first time all season, Thames will sit even with a righty (Zack Wheeler) on the mound for the opposition. Given that he's hitting just .205/.298/.325 on the season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him sit more frequently going forward. Asdrubal Cabrera slides to first base in his absence, with Brock Holt starting at third.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hits second homer Thames went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact The Nationals were hoping that Thames could be a consistent power presence when they signed him last off-season, but that has been far from the case thus far. His fifth-inning long ball of Zack Godley marked just his second on the season. He will look to see his homer rate increase significantly in the second half of the campaign.

AUGUST 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sánchez pinch slam, Hicks HR help Yanks take 2 from Mets

AUGUST 31, 2020 • Associated Press