Since being drafted fourth overall in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman has evolved into a cornerstone of the Nationals and one of the game's best all-around players. Zimmerman signed an extension in 2009 that will delay his free agency until after the 2013 season, and he'd like to stay in Washington even longer. Speaking to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the 26-year-old said he doesn't want to be a player who leaves via free agency after years of losing.
"That’s the dire, last-minute decision if I didn’t think we were going to win," Zimmerman said. "I have a lot of confidence that we’re really close to becoming good…. I don’t think we’re as far away as everyone thinks…. That’s kind of another one of the reasons I want to be here for so long."
While there's no rush for either side to work out a new contract yet, Zimmerman suggested he'd test free agency if an extension wasn't in place by the end of the 2012 season:
"If you get to two years left [before] free agency, you can talk. But if nothing works out, if you have one year before free agency, you might as well play your year out and see what happens…. I think the whole point of the baseball system is, you put your time in, you stay with a team, and you get rewarded with being able to be a free agent."
Zimmerman says he'd prefer not to negotiate during the regular season, though a source indicated to Kilgore that the Nationals would open extension discussions sometime in the coming months. For his part, Zimmerman says he "would take care of it whenever they want to take care of it." Of course, negotiations likely won't be easy. Several baseball people who spoke to Kilgore believe Zimmerman could command an extension worth approximately $200MM.
Zimmerman is one of, if not the, best thirdbaseman in baseball. He has put in his time “after years of losing,” as it were, and deserves to get paid. The Nats proved that they have the money to pay someone they want with Jayson Werth, so they can’t cry poor when asked to pony up for Zim. If anyone deserves to be given his fair value (besides Evan Longoria… I mean poor guy, what a contract), it’s Zimmerman.
oh yes ‘poor guy, what a contract’ the rays took just as much risk in that contract as Longoria did, he got the contract when he essentially had proven nothing on a major league level.
I own Zimmerman in several leagues I hope he leaves Washington it will help my teams more.
how so?
I think he wants him on a team surrounded by a better lineup to up his RBI numbers. Though at this point I’d be surprised if the Nats let go of him any time in the near future. With Werth on board and potential of Strausburg and Harper, I really like the Nats chances to start challenging the NL East within the next few years.
Can’t see Zimmerman wanting to stay with a terrible franchise like Washington.
haha, are you serious? terrible franchise? Do you pay any attention to the Nats? the Nationals are one of the best up and coming teams. They will surprise this year and they will be competing for the division next year.
Yes, I pay attention to the Nats.
2010: Last place.
2009: Last place, worst team in baseball.
2008: Last place, worst team in baseball.
2007: Second to last place.
2006: Last place.
2005: Last place.
Do you really expect anyone to take this team seriously?
They have terrible front office management (Worth’s contract, Soriano, etc.) and can’t draft when they actually have to make a decision (Moskos, Crow).
Up and coming? Their rotation is horrendous. A healthy Strasburg can only help so much when the other starters can’t get anyone out. The minor league system is decent, but nothing I would get excited enough about to say they are an up and coming franchise.
And I’m a fan of an AL team, so don’t think I’m some NL East hater.
Looking at the standings isn’t what i meant by paying attention. There are plenty more than me that think the nats will be a consistent winner next season. Even the so called “experts”, if there really are experts, think the nats will contend next year.
I agree Werth’s contract is a bit much but what are you talking about Soriano for? He only had one of his best seasons in Washington and then they didnt sign him, the cubs are the ones regretting that.
Right now the rotation is average not horrendous. Just wait till Strasburg, Zimmermann, Detwiller, and Maya are all healthy and have a full season under their belts. Thats going to be a great rotation.
Im not thinking your an NL east hater, im thinking your just a guy that loves to hate on the lower end teams.
I’m thinking the Nats make a little noise in the second half in 2012 then are ready to be serious contenders in the NL East by 2013.
Are you not concerned that you already had to preface the comment by “are all health”
Well isnt this true with every team? And sure it could all go bad if Strasburg and Zimmermann are terrible after their Tommy John surgeries.
There is no way Zim leaves the Nats. They are going to be good so that’s not a problem and i believe there will be no problem at all giving him a 200 million contract.
Hard to remain “good” when you have your money wrapped up in 2 hitters and pitchers that will eventually need money too.
The nationals have one of the richest owners and they are willing to spend.
he grew up idolizing Cal Ripken. He wants to stay in Washington and be our Cal Ripken
I think what Troy Tulowitzki got is a fair comparison as to what zimmerman should get. After all, he said himself that he wouldn’t mind receiving an extension like tulo’s
I’m surprised Ken Rosenthal hasn’t suggested the Nationals trade Zimmerman to the Yankees.