Despite an OPS+ of 90 in 134 games, his batting line stayed the same -.237/.301/.385 with 26 doubles and 14 home runs, but just 44 RBI.
Second in the 2011 AL behind Alex Avila, he had 914 putouts and was second in runner-outs, but the shortstop also tied Carlos Santana for fourth in errors and allowed the most thefts (98).
In 2012, his output fell even worse. It was a dismal season, with just one home run and 18 RBI in 75 appearances for Oakland.
Aching for a new challenge, the Athletics dealt him to the Washington Nationals on August 3rd for minor league catcher David Freitas.
Since Wilson Ramos went on the DL with a knee injury in mid-July, the Nationals had been using back-up Jesus Flores in the role of starter.
They were hoping he would take his place. With five home runs and 25 RBI, he slugged .267/.321/.404 in 63 games for the National League team.
During the postseason, he started all five games for the team and went 4 for 17 in the NLDS against St. Louis Cardinals.
At the start of 2013, Suzuki returned to the Nationals, and in his first season back, he hit a respectable.222/.283/.310 with three home runs and 25 RBI.
That season, the Nationals were immediately eliminated from playoff contention, and Suzuki’s underwhelming performance at the plate made them reluctant to make a long-term commitment to him.
His original team, the Oakland Athletics, was in the playoffs and he was dealt to them in exchange for minor leaguer Dakota Bacus.
Is Kurt Suzuki Japanese?
Suzuki is from a fourth-generation Japanese family in the United States. He was born and reared on the island of Maui.