Feb 17, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Free agent catcher Matt Wieters is reportedly close to signing with the Washington Nationals, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has confirmed.
Wieters, 30, has spent his entire major-league career with with the Baltimore Orioles, who drafted him with the No. 5 overall pick in 2007.
A four-time All-Star, three-time 20-homer man and two-time Gold Glove winner, Wieters is the top remaining free agent available. A client of super agent Scott Boras, many assumed that teams were reluctant to sign Wieters because of a high asking price.
As noted by Rosenthal, once the deal with Washington becomes official, the Nationals will have a surplus of catchers. Jose Lobaton, Derek Norris, Pedro Severino, Spencer Kieboom and Raudy Read are all listed on the 40-man roster, meaning a trade could be imminent.
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