Former All-Star Opts Out Of Contract With Nationals

For the second time this season, David Dahl has failed to catch on with a major league team. He has chosen to opt out of his minor league contract with the Washington Nationals and become a free agent once again. 

Source: Outfielder David Dahl has exercised the August 15 opt out in his minor league deal with the Nationals, making him a free agent again.

Makes sense after he couldn’t beat Josh Palacios or Alex Call to the majors following the trade deadline.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) August 15, 2022

The Nationals passed over Dahl—twice—when looking for outfielders to promote from the minors, so he decided it was time to look for a new opportunity. 

Earlier this season, Dahl was also passed up for promotion, time and again, by the Milwaukee Brewers, despite a strong showing at Triple-A for them. Dahl has batted .279 with 10 HR and 51 RBIs in the minors this season. 

His biggest success came in the 2019 season during a 4-year run with the Colorado Rockies. Then 25, Dahl made the All-Star team, and looked like a building block for the Rockies, as he hit .302 with an .877 OPS. 

But 2020 was an injury-filled disaster for him, as he hit .183 and the Rockies eventually released him. He caught on with the Texas Rangers in 2021, but didn't fare much better, hitting just .210. 

He'll now see if another organization is willing to take a chance on a former All-Star with one-time promise.

Photos: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports