Ever since he became the Washington
Nationals' very first draft pick, Ryan Zimmerman wanted to stay with the
club for the long haul.
Now he'll get that wish.
The Nationals took what they hope is
another step toward consistent contention by locking up their third
baseman -- and the guy many still call the face of the franchise --
through 2019, adding six years to Zimmerman's existing contract in a
deal announced Sunday.
The deal includes a full no-trade clause.
The extra six seasons are worth $100
million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated
Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no financial
terms were revealed publicly.
"It's nice that it's done," Zimmerman
said at a news conference at the club's spring training stadium in
Viera, Fla. "It's where I want to be. It's where I've always wanted to
be."
He already was signed for 2012 and
2013, with $26 million remaining on the five-year, $45 million contract
he got at the start of the 2009 season. He's now guaranteed $126 million
over the next eight seasons, and there is a club option for 2020.
"I love pressure. I don't think people
get these kinds of contracts that don't want to be in pressure
situations. Ever since I've been here, I've wanted to be the guy that's
up last in the ninth inning," Zimmerman said. "I've wanted to be the guy
that everyone looks to. I've wanted to be the so-called leader. I
relish being that guy. I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
He grew up not from the nation's capital in Virginia Beach, Va., and his parents still live there.
The two sides talked late into the
night Saturday, making enough progress for the 27-year-old Zimmerman to
extend a self-imposed deadline that coincided with that day's start of
official full-squad workouts. He wanted to get a deal completed now or
postpone talks until after the season so his contract situation wouldn't
be a distraction in the clubhouse for the Nationals, who are hoping to
finally be competitive in the NL East.
Washington finished third in the division in 2011, the franchise's best showing since moving from Montreal.
Zimmerman was the team's first draft
pick after the Expos became the Nationals before the 2005 season -- he
was taken No. 4 overall that year after playing college baseball at
Virginia -- and he quickly emerged as Washington's best player.
He's been an NL All-Star, and also collected Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
Last season, Zimmerman was limited by
injuries to 395 at-bats over 101 games. He hit .289 with 12 homers, 21
doubles and 49 RBIs.
For his career, Zimmerman has a .288
batting average, 128 homers, 214 doubles, 498 RBIs, a .355 on-base
percentage and .479 slugging percentage, and he's considered one of the
top defensive third basemen in the majors.
He's also emerged as one of the leaders of the team in the clubhouse.
"In my opinion, it's just another
indication the organization is moving in the right direction," shortstop
Ian Desmond said. "To lock up a guy and show loyalty to your franchise
player ... and to see `Zim' be happy at home, and not to have to worry
about that any more, it's going to be nice. I'm happy for him. We
definitely need him."
More than a dozen Nationals teammates showed up for Sunday's news conference.
"It's great for them to come,
obviously, to show their support. That's one of the reasons why I want
to stay here," Zimmerman said. "I want to be with these guys for a long
time."
The average annual value of Zimmerman's
extension is $16.7 million; the average for the eight years works out
to $15.75 million. Zimmerman is one of six major leaguers signed through
at least 2019, joining Albert Pujols of the Angels, Cecil Fielder of
the Tigers, Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies, Ryan Braun of the Brewers
and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers.
When Stan Kasten was team president,
the Nationals had a policy against giving players no-trade clauses. But
they added such a clause when they signed outfielder Jayson Werth to a
$126 million, seven-year contract as a free agent last offseason.
And now they've done it for Zimmerman.
"I'd rather not give a no-trade than
give a no-trade because it gives me more flexibility. But for players
like this, if it's give a no-trade or not have the player, that's a
pretty easy decision," general manager Mike Rizzo said.
Rizzo said the no-trade clause does not
cover the 2012 and 2013 seasons, only the additional six years. Still,
he said he won't trade Zimmerman.
"It comes into play when you have trust
and honesty between both parties. We didn't go through this exercise
and sign `Zim' to a six-year (deal), plus an option year, to trade him
in the next two years," Rizzo said. "With Mike Rizzo as the GM of the
Nationals, he will not be traded in the next two years."
Notes: The Nationals had their first
live batting practice session Sunday with Stephen Strasburg and Gio
Gonzalez throwing. But the anticipated matchup of Strasburg vs. Bryce
Harper never took place. Harper hit against Nationals closer Drew Storen
and later said he was disappointed he didn't get to bat against
Strasburg. "Absolutely. I wanted to face him so bad," Harper said. "I
wanted to see what he was about. If he made me look stupid, I don't even
care."
