Washington Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman desire to keep alliance intact – MLB Update
The Washington Nationals are keen on injecting stability in their roster and are taking every step possible to ensure the same. Instead of allowing current players to move elsewhere, the management is keen on signing big names, especially pitchers, on long-term
contracts to make sure that a winning combination is up for grabs.
In this regard, the Nationals have a mutual understanding with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, where both parties have agreed to be together for the next decade, at least. However, the monetary value of this understanding is still undecided and rest assured,
keeping a talent such as Zimmerman onboard will require tons of money.
A similar attempt has been made by the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, signing an eight-year 160-million-dollar contract with their centre-fielder Matt Kemp in a bid to keep their emerging star on the roster. Although the ballclub is facing bankruptcy and
is currently for sale, the management signed the deal with Kemp to ensure that a talent such as Kemp is not wasted.
While denying commenting in detail, Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo stated that the ballclub will want to make Zimmerman’s dream of staying at Washington a reality and hence will do whatever it takes to. The GM furthered that Zimmerman has been a crucial
member of the roster and thus allowing him to leave for monetary issues will be one thing which will be avoided.
There has been an informal discussion regarding Zimmerman’s next deal with the franchise, but the player’s agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, confirmed that there are no active discussions regarding a deal and thus there are no details to be told.
Once the players near free agency, it has been observed that they become inclined towards testing the rough waters of the free market. If a talent is to be retained, a deal has to be signed at least a season before the player enters his last-year on the
contract. Dealing with free agents is never easy and thus it is always better to keep them interested in the ballclub.
With the Nationals not worried by finances, it will be interesting to see how they deal with Zimmerman, who is surely a star for the future.
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