Nats still have money to spend

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The Nationals still have money to re-sign Adam LaRoche if they want.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Dan Haren's $13 million salary -- assuming he passes his physical with the Nationals and officially signs -- will be the third-largest in team history. Only Jayson Werth ($16.5 million) and Ryan Zimmerman ($14 million) have made more money in a single season than Haren will make in 2013.

And the Haren signing will push the Nationals' payroll to heights it previously has not reached, topping nine figures for the first time.

But that doesn't mean Mike Rizzo doesn't still have money to spend on further bolstering his roster for next season.

Indeed, the Nationals still have the financial wherewithal to add or retain more key pieces, whether in the form of first baseman Adam LaRoche, a veteran reliever or even an emergency starter who could either pitch out of the bullpen or start at Class AAA and be ready to step in if someone else gets hurt.

Adding up the 2013 salaries for a projected 25-man roster (including Haren and Michael Morse, but not LaRoche) plus three minor leaguers on big-league contracts (Anthony Rendon, Matt Purke, Yunesky Maya), the Nationals current payroll stands at approximately $100 million.

That's up from the club's $92 million figure on Openings Day 2012 and the highest total figure in franchise history. But it's not as high as ownership is willing to go.

Members of the Lerner family have expected all along to continue increasing payroll as the team improves and television rights fees increase. They're certainly willing to add another $6 million or so (the net increase if LaRoche re-signs and Morse is traded) to the 2013 payroll, possibly even more if needed.

Here's the full rundown of salary commitments for next season...

PLAYER               2013 SALARY
OF Jayson Werth      $16,500,000
3B Ryan Zimmerman    $14,000,000
SP Dan Haren         $13,000,000
1B Michael Morse      $6,750,000
C  Kurt Suzuki        $6,450,000
SP Gio Gonzalez       $6,250,000
OF Denard Span        $4,750,000
SP Stephen Strasburg  $3,000,000
SP Jordan Zimmermann  $4,000,000*
RP Tyler Clippard     $3,500,000*
SS Ian Desmond        $3,000,000*
RP Drew Storen        $3,000,000*
OF Bryce Harper       $2,000,000^
SP Ross Detwiler      $2,000,000*
3B Anthony Rendon     $1,800,000
RP Craig Stammen      $1,500,000*
SP Yunesky Maya       $1,500,000
IF Chad Tracy         $1,000,000
OF Roger Bernadina    $1,000,000*
SP Matt Purke         $1,000,000
RP Zach Duke            $750,000*
2B Danny Espinosa       $525,000*
C  Wilson Ramos         $500,000*
OF Tyler Moore          $500,000*
RP Henry Rodriguez      $500,000*
IF Steve Lombardozzi    $500,000*
RP Ryan Mattheus        $500,000*
RP Christian Garcia     $500,000*
TOTAL               $100,275,000* 

*-Projected salary 
^-Includes $1.25 million bonus to be paid July 1