WASHINGTON (CBSDC) — The Washington Nationals bolstered one of the few weak areas the team has had of late, by acquiring catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Oakland Athletics for minor-league prospect David Freitas.

Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement Friday before the Nationals doubleheader with the Florida Marlins.

“He one of the best catch-throw defensive catchers in the game,” Rizzo said. “He’s a guy that has hit double digit home runs in a big ball park in Oakland and he is hot right now. He hit well in July and he’s a guy that’s in the conversation as a Gold Glover every year.”

The A’s are paying part of his contract though Rizzo declined to say how much. Suzuki has one year and an option remaining on his contract.

The 28-year-old, who Rizzo had scouted while he was at Cal State Fullerton, is a career .254 hitter. Suzuki batted .218 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 75 games with Oakland this year.

“He’s handled the staff with the best ERA in the American League in Oakland and now we think he can make our young rotation even better than it has been,” Rizzo said.