Robles signs one-year deal with Nats, avoiding arbitration originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Washington's center fielder is returning for another season at Nationals Park.
Victor Robles and the team have avoided arbitration and agreed on a one-year contract for the upcoming 2023 campaign with a club option for the following year, the Nationals announced on Monday. Robles, 25, will embark on his seventh year with the franchise.
Robles has struggled offensively throughout his tenure in D.C. but has shined in center field as a defensive ace. He hasn't batted over .290 yet in his career - he slashed .224/.273/.311 in 2022 with a careerlow .584 OPS - but is coming off a year in which his defensive prowess earned him a nod as a National League Gold Glove Award finalist.
At one point, Robles was critical to Davey Martinez's outfield rotation in Washington but has also shared time with players like Lane Thomas and Yadiel Hernández, who both took starts from Robles at various points over the course of last season.
In addition to Robles, the Nats added depth elsewhere in the outfield this offseason in signing veteran left fielder Corey Dickerson. The 33-year-old slashed .267/.300/.399 with 36 RBIs in 96 games for the Cardinals in 2022. Lane Thomas has shown promise in his first two seasons in D.C. and figures to have a role in the outfield as well.
