TheFightinPhils
01-28-2005, 12:20 AM
WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The Washington Nationals lured George Arias back to the United States, agreeing to terms with the veteran utilityman on a minor league contract that contains an invitation to spring training. After hitting .244 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 55 games with the San Diego Padres in 1999, Arias went to Japan, where he spent the past five seasons with the Orix Blue Wave and Hashin Tigers.
In 622 games with Orix and Hashin, the 32-year-old batted .261 with 159 homers and 431 RBI. His best season came in 2003, when he belted 38 homers and drove in 107 runs with the Tigers.
"George Arias certainly produced offensively during his time in Japan," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "He will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot as we continue to attempt to improve our bench strength and overall team depth."
Arias had played in 173 major league games with Anaheim and San Diego, hitting .237 with 14 homers and 55 RBI.
Washington also agreed to terms with infielder Jamey Carroll and pitchers Michael Hinckley and Darrel Rasner on one-year contracts.
Carroll appeared in 102 games for the Montreal Expos in 2004, batting .289 with 16 RBI. Hinckley and Rasner both appeared on Baseball America's top 10 Nationals prospects list.
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=112820
In 622 games with Orix and Hashin, the 32-year-old batted .261 with 159 homers and 431 RBI. His best season came in 2003, when he belted 38 homers and drove in 107 runs with the Tigers.
"George Arias certainly produced offensively during his time in Japan," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "He will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot as we continue to attempt to improve our bench strength and overall team depth."
Arias had played in 173 major league games with Anaheim and San Diego, hitting .237 with 14 homers and 55 RBI.
Washington also agreed to terms with infielder Jamey Carroll and pitchers Michael Hinckley and Darrel Rasner on one-year contracts.
Carroll appeared in 102 games for the Montreal Expos in 2004, batting .289 with 16 RBI. Hinckley and Rasner both appeared on Baseball America's top 10 Nationals prospects list.
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=112820