Thursday, February 23, 2012

Video: Zim's contract and Harper's 1-on-1


VIERA, Fla. -- We're four full days into spring training and already it's clear much of the storyline around this camp is focused on two of the biggest names on the Nationals' roster: Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper.

Zimmerman, as surely you know by now, is hoping to sign a long-term contract extension with the club, preferably before the first full-squad workout on Saturday. Agent Brodie Van Wagenen is in town and is expected to pick up negotiations with GM Mike Rizzo while here.

And Harper, of course, is always the center of attention, even more so this spring because of his hopes of making the Opening Day roster at 19. We've outlined all the reasons why that still seems unlikely, but I will say this: Harper, in the very early stages of this camp, sure looks like he belongs. Members of the coaching staff notice it, too; manager Davey Johnson joked yesterday that his coaches are having a tough time not raving about Harper in his presence, knowing all too well it will only add fuel to the argument for bringing him north with the club.

I discussed both Zimmerman and Harper last night during a segment on CSN's SportsNet Central (check out the above video). And CSN's Kelli Johnson sat down with Harper yesterday for a one-on-one interview during which the young outfielder clarified his quote from earlier this month about wanting to emulate Joe Namath. Here's that video clip...



And here's one final video segment: Me talking with old friend Russ Thaler on NBC Sports Network...

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15 comments:

Wally said...

Video clip not working on my iPad.

Here is an interesting clip from Boz' article: It’s also the past deals that were all teed up and, according to former Nats, got nixed, like a trade of Dunn for the Rays’ Matt Moore, now the game’s best lefty prospect.

I take all of these kinds of things with a huge grain of salt, but that one is fun to imagine.

MicheleS said...

Boz has a bee in his bonnet

Also, Richard Justice has some info on Jason Michaels and is starting a man crush on Harper

MicheleS said...

Wally.. saw that too in Boz's column, Matt Moore - that would have been nice.

And thanks all for your insight on ESPN Insider.. I will take a pass.

MicheleS said...

And Mark didn't link his interview on NBC Sports

DWS said...

Wally,
Likely Flash, read Pogues review of OneLive+ in today's NYT. If I owned an iPad I'd be using it.

Gonat said...

So easy for all of Boz's nameless sources and rumored trades. At the time Dunn for a low level prospect named Moore wouldn't have been enough.

Boz's self-gloating this time around is a little more digestable since he has been writing nice articles.

I just don't buy that Zim's people are rolling over in an easy negotiation. Look, I want it to be done so the team can get on with real business to improve the 2012 team.

Gonat said...

Russ Thaler with Mark Zuckerman like old times!

Gonat said...

That Kelli Johnson interview with Bryce Harper was interesting. Its as if Harper was phrasing what he read in the comments on here. "Not just being on the team but being an impact player"

Anonymous said...

Video won't work for me either :(

Wally said...

DWS - thanks, I'll check it out. Happens frequently to me.

Michelle - I actually am an ESPN Insider but I don't remember talking about it with you. Was that directed to someone else?

MicheleS said...

Wally,
I had asked in the previous post for feed back about ESPN, and was responding to the comments from that.

joemktg said...

Comport: perfect word, but you're killing it.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Comport: perfect word, but you're killing it.


??

FS said...

what? we had a chance to get Moore for Dunn? That would have been awesome.
Just imagine this rotation with Moore as fifth starter.

Anonymous said...

wait so CSN is paying for Kelli Johnson and YOU to be down in Viera!? Wow that is a long way from the paypal donation button on this site! KUDOS

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