NATS ADD VETERAN CATCHER SUZUKI
The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Kurt Suzuki and cash from the Oakland Athletics for catcher David Freitas.
What does it give the Washington Nationals
The Nationals have been banged up in a big way behind the plate this season, so the addition of veteran Suzuki should help them down the stretch. He is not having a good season at all, but perhaps a switch to the National League will provide Suzuki with new life. If he does well early, he may see a significant amount of playing time for the rest of 2012. He's a good game-caller, so his arrival also helps Washington's vaunted pitching staff.
What does it give the Oakland Athletics
The A's have decided to commit to rookie Derek Norris, who was (ironically enough) acquired by Oakland from the Nationals last winter in the Gio Gonzalez trade. As a result, Suzuki was slowly fazed out this year. So, they did the right thing to give Suzuki another opportunity somewhere else. In Freitas, the A's land a decent catching prospect--but a player with nowhere near the same upside as Norris. Still, he may be a backup some day.
Fantasy impact
Suzuki's fantasy value had nearly disappeared this season, so the trade to D.C. Should be a great short-term boost. Freitas won't have much fantasy value until/unless he reaches the big leagues, and even then it will be limited. The biggest winner here, though, is Derek Norris (who is back to being Oakland's starting catcher).
