Zimmerman, Nats not close to deal
The Nationals and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman continue to have a good relationship, but they are not close to agreeing to a multi-year deal, according to a baseball source on Friday.
In fact, the two parties haven't had serious dialog about a deal since Spring Training. During that period, the team vowed not to break the bank, but it was willing to give Zimmerman a contract that was similar to
Zimmerman ended up being renewed and made $465,000 in 2008.
The source said both sides are not expected to talk about a contract during the Winter Meetings because the Nationals are trying to improve their Major League club, a club that lost 102 games last year.
It has been widely reported that the Nationals are trying to convince free agents Mark Teixeira or Adam Dunn to sign with them. The source did say that the Nationals consider Zimmerman one of their top priorities this offseason and the two parties are likely to talk after the Winter Meetings.
-- Bill Ladson
I think it's a real tough situation for both parties. Zimmerman is a good player and more than likely the face of that franchise. Yet, he's not a big name player and cannot expect to command a big salary. I can understand his frustration, a guy who is one year removed from 24 HRs and 91 RBIs for the Nats of all teams.
I think he has to look at what type of player he wants to be, if it's a franchise guy, that wants to be a National all his life then he'll be asked to make adjustments in the field and in his contrat, like Chipper has had to do in his time with the Braves. If Zimmerman wants to win, then he'll more than likely have to take a shorter deal with a fair salary to free up money for someone like Adam Dunn to come in (the thought that Tex would be a National are high hopes for their front office and fans, but again, this isn't MLB 2K8) and give a big boom stick to put behind Zimmerman. Dunn is going to be pretty cheap, from what I hear, something like $9 million a year, correct me if I'm wrong, and for the 35+ homeruns you'll get and not be able to pitch around Zimmerman, he's worth every penny.
I like Zimmerman a lot, I think he's a good player with amazing potential. He's only 24 years old and right now and, from the outside, I'm a Braves fan, looks like the team leader really.
All-in-all, he def. deserves more than $465,000 next year, but where will his desire for money and desire to win with the Nationals come to a head?
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