The Washington Nationals re-signed Ryan Zimmerman on Friday night. The agreement was a one-year, $2 million guaranteed contract. The deal does have bonuses that can reach $5 million.
Zimmerman, 35, has been a franchise cornerstone for the Nationals and is the longest-tenured player on the roster.
Drafted fourth overall in 2005, he was adamant that he wanted to finish his career as a National.
Zimmerman is the franchise record holder for games (1,689), hits (1,784), home runs (270), runs batted in (1,015), runs (936) and doubles (401). He won the Gold Glove as a third baseman in 2009 and is a two-time all-star.
He played in a career-low 52 games in 2019, however, he did play in every postseason game. The former University of Virginia product helped the Nationals clinch their first World Series Championship in franchise history by hitting multiple home runs in the postseason versus the Dodgers and Astros. His timely three-run homer against the Dodgers helped force a game five and is one of the unheralded plays of last year’s MLB postseason.
The plan for Zimmerman in 2020 has not been revealed yet, but due to his injury history and the longevity of the season, he will likely split time at first base with Howie Kendrick and Eric Thames.
A better understand and concise plan for him and the entire Nationals squad will unfold at spring training which is arriving quickly.
Pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, Florida on February 13th. The first practice for the ball club as a whole is on February 18th.
The Nationals will be in unfamiliar territory as they prepare to defend their highly coveted Commissioner’s Trophy.