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The Spectacle Blog
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has signed a six-year contract extension with the Nationals worth $100 million with a club option for the 2020 season. Zimmerman had been due to become a free agent after the 2013 season.
I have mixed feelings about the extension. In the short term it’s a good move. The Nationals are on the cusp of contention and could be a force to be reckoned with over the next four or five seasons. Indeed, they have a legitimate shot at winning the NL Wild Card in 2012. But I see a couple of problems.
First, can Zimmerman stay healthy? He missed two months of the 2011 season with an abdominal strain. Previously, he missed a substantial amount of time in 2008 due to a shoulder injury.
Second, the Nats have closed to $250 million tied up into two players, Zimmerman and Jayson Werth. Prior to last season, Werth signed a seven-year deal worth $126 million. Unfortunately, Werth struggled mightily in 2011 hitting .232 with 20 homeruns and 58 RBI. Even if Werth rebounds in 2012 and Zimmerman is injury free, the Nats have limited flexibility in the long term. If Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper turn out to be bonafide superstars it is hard to imagine the Nats being able to keep them on the payroll along with Zimmerman and Werth especially after they become arbitration eligible. The same could be said for the likes of Drew Storen, Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa.
Nevertheless, Zimmerman has put together a good career, if not an underappreciated third baseman and has been a solid citizen as the face of the Washington Nationals franchise.
View all comments (10) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/02/26/mr-zimmerman-stays-in-washingt
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Drek| 2.26.12 @ 4:14PM
Expect Werth to get back into the swing of things. Last years performance was an anomaly for him.
albert constantine jr.| 2.26.12 @ 6:27PM
It is often forgotten that in 2005 and 2006 under Frank Robinson, the Nationals had great first halves of the season (I seem to recall they were in first place at the All Star Break in 2006). Zimmerman christened Nationals Park and the 2007 season with a walk off homer on Opening Night.
While the Nats have had difficulty lately stringing together enough great moments to have a good season, if they stay healthy and the stars align correctly, they have an opportunity to contend, as noted.
Occam's Tool| 2.27.12 @ 3:39AM
I love the idea of paying a guy 15 million for batting .232.
Jesus, what would Rogers Hornsby have made? Or Babe Ruth?
Occam's Tool| 2.27.12 @ 3:40AM
With only 20 homers, and worse, less than 60 RBIs. Please.
Aaron Goldstein| 2.27.12 @ 8:13AM
Well, remember when it came to light that The Babe was making more money than President Hoover. The Bambino quipped, "I had a better year than he did."
While you may object to today's player salaries, it could be the case that Jayson Werth has a better year than President Obama.
sjccoach| 2.26.12 @ 7:17PM
The Lerner's are the richest owners in baseball. The Nationals have more flexibility than you imagine Mr. Goldstein.
Bob K.| 2.26.12 @ 10:20PM
And they play in the Nation's Capitol. The metropolitan area left in the entire US of A where the economy is not in trouble!
Bob K.| 2.26.12 @ 10:21PM
That should read "The only metropolitan area......."
Bob| 2.27.12 @ 12:51AM
I think it's a good move. The Werth signing wasn't good, but extending Zimmerman's contract is. Zimmerman is a great player around which the Nationals can build a team. The Werth signing is what will limit their flexibility, but I have to imagine that they'll at least definitely keep Strasburg if he can keep up 100MPH without getting injured.
ipad manager| 2.27.12 @ 10:43PM
iPad Manager is an all-in-one iPad management software designed for Apple iPad tablet users to manage iPad music and movie. It can function as iPad music manager, iPad movie transfer, iPad library manager, iPad photo manager, etc. Surely you can use this tool to transfer iPad music to PC.