The Nationals and right-hander Jordan Zimmermann have agreed to a two-year, $24MM deal to avoid arbitration, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). Zimmermann, a client of Relativity Baseball (formerly known as SFX), will earn $7.5MM in 2014 and $16.5MM in 2015, Sherman adds. The contract buys out Zimmermann's final two years of arbitration but no free agent years.
Zimmermann, 27, has emerged as perhaps the most consistent pitcher in the Nationals' rotation. The former second-round pick has pitched to a 3.12 ERA with 6.9 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and a 43.8 percent ground-ball rate in 570 1/3 innings since his return from Tommy John surgery in 2011. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had projected Zimmermann to earn $10.5MM in 2014, so he likely took a hit on his 2014 salary in exchange for the security of locking in a significant payday in 2015.
The Nationals have made no secret about the fact that they'd prefer to keep Zimmermann around well beyond his final two years of arbitration, and I'd imagine that they'll continue to discuss a longer contract extension between now and Opening Day.
I would prefer an extension, JZ and Rizzo. 5/$80MM?
Step 1: Assume risk on a player without getting concessions for FA years.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profits!
I’m sure there’s a ton of work going on behind the scenes to obtain additional years, but it seems odd to announce this deal now if there is.
I think the concession was a lower 2014 salary than he would have gotten in arbitration
Good deal for the Nats, ZImmermann’s been pretty cagey about free agency, maybe it just kicks the can down the road, but it gives them some payroll certainty. It’s probably more important to get Desmond signed for more years.