Nationals signed outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Patterson can't possibly be as bad of a player as he was last year, so his speed and defense probably makes him worthy of a major league roster spot. However, the Nationals are better off sticking with their younger outfielders. He's not the player to move Lastings Milledge to a corner, especially when such a switch would seemingly cost Elijah Dukes most of his playing time.
Nationals signed infielder Jose Castillo to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
It's like they pulled off a trade with the Astros, with Houston getting Aaron Boone. Castillo, who spent most of last year as the Giants' primary third baseman before moving on to Houston, hit .246/.292/.376 in 426 at-bats. He'll be fortunate to make the Nationals as a bench player.
Nationals signed LHP Gustavo Chacin to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Chacin was 25-15 with a 4.18 ERA in his Blue Jays career, but all of his success came in 2005 and his arm appears to be shot now. He'll need to show something in Triple-A before getting another chance.
Nationals signed RHP Jorge Sosa to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Sosa won't be eligible to pitch for the Nats until late April after getting a 50-game suspension for amphetamine use back in August. The 31-year-old had a 7.06 ERA in 21 2/3 innings before being cut by the Mets last season.
Nationals signed catcher Gustavo Molina to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Molina, who spent September with the Mets, probably passes Luke Montz for the third spot on the Nationals' depth chart at catcher. The team is believed to be still shopping for an upgrade over Wil Nieves to pair with Jesus Flores.