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Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman Close To Extension

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8:17pm: A Nationals official said he'd be "surprised if we missed this opportunity" to extend Zimmerman, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

3:04pm: Hurdles still exist between Zimmerman and the Nationals, Amanda Comak and Marc Lancaster of the Washington Times write. Manager Davey Johnson says he'd endorse an extension for the third baseman.

9:32am: Zimmerman said he's close to an extension, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian tweets. The third baseman suggested he wants a no-trade clause, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (on Twitter). He said he's willing to sign a "team friendly" deal since he wants to play in Washington. The sides haven't yet agreed on the no-trade issue, Heyman tweets.

FRIDAY, 7:26am: Zimmerman didn't ask for "Tulo money," Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The deal between Zimmerman and the Nationals would be in the $18MM per season range, Heyman writes. Fellow 2005 first rounder Troy Tulowitzki signed a ten-year, $157.75MM extension last offseason.

THURSDAY, 4:46pm: Kilgore reports that most notable hurdle remaining is no-trade language (Twitter links). Amanda Comak of The Washington Times says the two sides are close, but not significantly closer than they were this morning.

4:15pm: The Nationals and Zimmerman are close to an extension, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The new deal would be for at least six years, but Rosenthal cautions that deal-breakers remain in place and are described as "real."

MLB.com's Bill Ladson hears that the two sides are "close to a resolution" on an extension (Twitter link).

11:05am: Rizzo and Van Wagenen are expected to meet this afternoon, Kilgore reports. It may be the final face-to-face meeting before the deadline for a deal.

9:16am: The Nationals remain "hopeful" that they'll work out an extension with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, GM Mike Rizzo told reporters, including Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. The Nationals will continue talking to Zimmerman until this Saturday's deadline, though there's no guarantee of a deal.

“I don’t have a real good idea on the deadline, whether it’ll get done or not," Rizzo said. "We’re continuing to try.”

Rizzo said the deadline won't stop him from talking to agent Brodie Van Wagenen, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (on Twitter). Van Wagenen was in Nationals camp yesterday, though we shouldn't over-analyze his presence since agents regularly attend Spring Training and he also represents Drew Storen and John Lannan.

AL East Notes: Martin, Red Sox, Vizquel

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A few odds and ends to pass along from the AL East. For more news out of the division, be sure to check out this afternoon's earlier post.

  • The Yankees and catcher Russell Martin have decided to table extension talks until after the season, writes Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. Martin, 29, is eligible for free agency after this season, and is apparently seeking more than the three years and $20MM the Yankees were willing to offer, as reported by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
  • Red Sox GM Ben Cherington addressed his club's shortstop situation today, according to the Associated Press: "[W]e feel good about the mix that we have, and we'll certainly keep our eyes open if there are ways to improve that. But right now we're focused on the guys we have." The current starting candidates are Nick Punto, Mike Aviles and, less likely, Jose Iglesias.
  • Blue Jays infielder Omar Vizquel passed on an offer to manage a winter league team in his native Venezuela so that he could focus on playing in the Majors for what is presumably a final season, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. Davidi adds that Vizquel, signed to a minor league deal this offseason, is the favorite to claim the backup infielder's role with the Jays. Vizquel also says managing is likely in his future.

Ryan Braun Reactions

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There's plenty of news, commentary and analysis in the fallout of Ryan Braun's overturned suspension. Here's a look at what's being said about the reigning National League MVP:

  • Baseball is left facing uncomfortable issues, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, regarding the leak of Braun's result as well as the break in the chain of custody of his sample.
  • The appeals system worked as it should, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, but Braun has nonetheless been victimized by a lack of confidentiality.
  • Braun has been dealt a clean slate but, unfairly, a stained reputation, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.
  • The ruling is a blow to the testing system that Bud Selig believed would restore baseball's reputation after the steroid era, writes Jeff Passan of Yahoo!.
  • T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada of ESPN.com outline some of the critical discrepancies between MLB's recounting of the events vs. Braun's.
  • MLB and the MLBPA issued statements in response to Braun's comments at a press conference today, blogs Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • Here is video from Braun's press conference.
  • Confidentiality is certain to be a topic of discussion between MLB and the MLBPA, tweets Haudricourt.
  • Braun will be a "rallying point" for MLB and the MLBPA for a long time, tweets Quinn.

Reds Notes: Votto, Madson, Rolen

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Much of the recent chatter surrounding the Reds has focused on a possible extension for Brandon Phillips. Here are a few links about Phillips' teammates as Spring Training gets started in Goodyear, Arizona…

  • Joey Votto said he prefers to keep contract talk to himself, his agent and the Reds, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “As much as people, players want to say, ‘no, it’s not a distraction.’ It’s exhausting. It’s a lingering issue," he said, before making reference to Prince Fielder 's new deal. Last month I suggested it could cost upwards of $160MM in additional commitments to keep Votto in a Reds uniform through 2020
  • Reds closer Ryan Madson told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that he remains a Scott Boras client.“I plan on being with Scott for the foreseeable future,” Madson said. “Everything is the same." Madson signed for $8.5MM this offseason — less than originally anticipated.
  • Scott Rolen told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he’s focused on the upcoming season, not whether he’ll continue playing beyond 2012. The third baseman turns 37 in April and is entering the final year of his contract.

Quick Hits: Montero, Wilson, Minor

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It appears "likely" that MLB will expand the playoffs to include ten teams starting this season, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Talks to resolve scheduling obstacles have picked up in recent days as the March 1st deadline draws closer. Here are some links from around MLB…

NL Central Notes: Oswalt, Molina, Braun

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Ryan Braun publicly denied taking banned substances at Brewers camp today, expressing a willingness to bet his life that the substance in question never entered his body. Braun called the current drug testing system ‘fatally flawed’ and respectfully disagreed with MLB’s reaction to yesterday’s news that he won his appeal. Here’s the latest from the NL Central…

  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears the Cardinals recently boosted their offer to Roy Oswalt to $5MM from $3MM (Twitter links). Oswalt announced yesterday that he will look to sign midseason.
  • The Cardinals have made enough progress in extension talks with Yadier Molina that an agreement could be in place within a week, Strauss reports.
  • Major League Baseball is a big loser in the aftermath of Braun's appeal, since an old wound has been re-opened, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes.

AL East Notes: Davis, Carpenter, Soler, Beeston

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The latest from Florida, where all five AL East teams are preparing for Opening Day…

  • Rays starter Wade Davis told Bill Chastain of MLB.com that he doesn't want to get traded, despite the uncertainty surrounding his role on the 2012 team.
  • Red Sox right-hander Chris Carpenter tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that it was "kind of cool" to be traded for Theo Epstein earlier this week. Epstein called Carpenter to explain the situation.
  • All of Boston's top talent evaluators including GM Ben Cherington have seen Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports. The 19-year-old appeals to the Red Sox more than Yoenis Cespedes did, according to Edes.
  • Blue Jays president Paul Beeston, who is entering the final year of his contract, told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that he'd like to continue in his current role. “I guess I would say that, but I’m not even thinking about that right now," he said. The Blue Jays promoted Alex Anthopoulos and invested in scouting and player development since Beeston assumed his current role following the 2008 season.
  • The Orioles aren't likely to add a catcher from outside of the organization any time soon, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweets.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Beane, Braun, Burnett, Minor

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On this date in 1966, the Braves signed Tom Seaver out of the University of Southern California. The contract was later voided because the Trojans had already played two games, but Seaver also lost his college eligibility since he'd signed a pro contract. After threatening legal action, Seaver's rights were entered into a special lottery among teams willing to meet the terms of his contract with the Braves. The Mets won the lottery and signed him, officially starting his Hall of Fame career.

Spring Training is now fully underway, so let's round up the latest from the blogosphere…

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Morneau: Concussion Symptoms May Threaten Career

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Justin Morneau has played just 69 games since being concussed July of 2010, and there's no guarantee his troubles are over with. The 30-year-old first baseman acknowledged that concussion symptoms could end his career, according to Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

“I don’t think there will be a career if it’s something I’m dealing with," he said. “That’s the reality of the whole thing. I’m obviously not going to continue to mess around with this if it continues to be a problem. There comes a point where you can only torture yourself for so long."

Morneau explained that he enjoys playing baseball, but finds it frustrating not to be able to contribute on the field. He's under contract for $14MM in 2012 and the same amount in 2013. Morneau is a four-time All-Star who won the 2006 American League MVP at the age of 25.

Mike Minor Talks Role With Braves, Trade

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GM Frank Wren told David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mike Minor is the “incumbent” in the competition for the Braves' final rotation spot because of his experience and left-handedness. However, Minor says he would prefer not to go to Triple-A if he fails to earn a rotation spot after pitching well.

“Then there’s no reason I shouldn’t pitch in the big leagues somewhere,” he said. “If they don’t have room for me here, then there’s no reason they shouldn’t trade me or just do something with me.”

Minor, 24, clarified his comments to manager Fredi Gonzalez and some teammates, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman (Twitter links). Minor says the Braves should trade him if he hasn't earned a lasting spot in the Major Leagues by next year.

Minor owns a 4.74 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 123 1/3 innings at the Major League level. The 2009 first rounder made 15 starts for the Braves last year and another 16 at Triple-A. He is currently vying for the fifth spot in the Braves’ rotation, along with prospects Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado.

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