Nationals, 3B Zimmerman agree to new contract

[TZ]

WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman finally has a multiyear deal, and the Washington Nationals finally have their "face of the franchise" signed for the long haul.

The Nationals will hold a news conference Monday to announce the third baseman's new contract.

The deal reportedly is worth $45 million over five years. It replaces the one-year, $3.3 million contract Zimmerman agreed to in February, avoiding arbitration.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/breaking-news/story/1007759.html

Great news. This is by far the best player on the team. And kudos to him for sticking out what is a very difficult situation right now. He easily could have gotten a big contract from someone else...:)

[madinmaryland]

1. Hmm. Who does he get traded to in August? Skanks, Mets, or Red Sox??

For three or four prospects. I am very familiar with this.

:shrug:

[TZ]

2. Won't happen.

Trust me..this is the one player that is totally safe...He's the player that can possibly draw up attendence...Trust me these cheapskates don't put out money to trade someone away. He's also a local boy. (from UVa...)

[madinmaryland]

4. Oh, come on. The only reason they gave him a bigger contract is

to get more in the August trade.

I've seen it way too many times.

[TZ]

5. he already had a one year deal

If they were set on trading him, they would NOT have re-negotiated....

[madinmaryland]

6. Yeah. We'll see what happens in August when the Skankees come

with millions of dollars, draft picks, and players to be named later.

Yeap.

Done deal.

[TZ]

8. not gonna happen

They really wanted Mark Teixeira and lost him to the Yanks. I'm willing to bet on this. They need someone to put fannies in the seats.

[flvegan]

3. I'm sure Zimmerman merch is just flying off the shelves.

:eyes:

[charlie and algernon]

7. so why not spend that 45 million on building a new bullpen?

that's some good managing there, lol. :eyes:

[TZ]

9. lol

If you've watched them then you know that someone who hits AND can play defense is worth their weight in gold.

[charlie and algernon]

10. i know he's a pretty average 3rd baseman

you'd be extremely lucky if in that 5 years, he averaged 20 hr and 80 RBIs. So why not spend that money on getting the 4 best relievers you can find?

[TZ]

11. average?

I believe he has the highest batting average and HR totals on the team..He was runner up rookie of the year 2006...

[flvegan]

12. "...on the team."

Yeah, having decent stats on THAT team makes for a fine qualifier, Zoot.

[madinmaryland]

13. On a minor league team.

:shrug: