Friday, January 18, 2013

6 of 7 arbitration-eligible players sign

USA Today Sports Images
Ross Detwiler agreed to a one-year, $2.3375 million contract.
Updated at 4:03 p.m.

It's deadline day for all arbitration-eligible players to either come to terms on 2013 contracts with their clubs or else submit competing offers to Major League Baseball in advance of hearings next month.

Which isn't to say this is a hard-and-fast deadline, because the two sides are still allowed to negotiate with each other before those hearings ever take place. But there will some significant motivation to get deals done today and avoid the whole, messy arbitration process altogether.

The Nationals have seven arbitration-eligible players this season: Drew Storen (who signed a $2.5 million contract with incentives last night), Ross Detwiler, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard, Craig Stammen and Roger Bernadina.

Detwiler became the first member of the group to sign today, agreeing to a one-year, $2.3375 million contract that also includes incentives, according to his agency (CAA, which also represents Storen, not to mention Ryan Zimmerman).

It's a nice bump in salary for Detwiler, who made $485,000 last season and then went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 33 games (27 starts), firmly establishing himself as a member of the Nationals' rotation. This was his first season of arbitration eligibility.

Check back here throughout the day for updates on the other unsigned players...

UPDATE AT 12:46 P.M. -- Craig Stammen has agreed to a two-year contract, according to his agency, Paragon Sports. Stammen was eligible for arbitration for the first time, qualifying as a "Super 2" player. So his salary is now set for both 2013 and 2014, but he'll still be arbitration-eligible in 2015 and 2016 before he can become a free agent. The right-hander, who made $485,000 last season, went 6-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 59 relief appearances.

UPDATE AT 2:35 P.M. -- Another signing to report: Roger Bernadina has come to terms on a one-year, $1.215 million deal. Stammen's two-year deal, meanwhile, is worth $2.25 million.

UPDATE AT 3:54 p.m. -- And another signing to report: Ian Desmond has agreed to a one-year, $3.8 million contract. Desmond was in his first year of arbitration, having made only $512,500 last season while posting career-best numbers and earning his first All-Star selection. Desmond remains a candidate for a long-term deal that would buy out some of his free agency years, but for now he's under contract for 2013.

UPDATE AT 4:03 P.M. -- And now the Nationals have officially announced six signings: Storen, Detwiler, Stammen, Bernadina, Desmond and Tyler Clippard. So that leaves only Jordan Zimmermann unsigned among the group. The two sides either will have to come to terms by midnight or else swap arbitration figures.

UPDATE AT 6:00 P.M. -- And the final news of the day: Jordan Zimmermann has filed for arbitration. He's asking for $5.8 million, the Nationals countered at $4.6 million.

113 comments:

MicheleS said...

LOTS OF COOKIES FOR ROSS!!!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Faraz Shaikh said...

FW, "As I said upthread, it's an issue. Just not as big an issue as people make it out to be."

I never said that it is a big issue but it is an issue. How much more impressive our pitching staff will be if on top of not allowing whole lot of baserunners, we are not letting them advance either so that further restricting chances of scoring? Look at the link I posted in previous thread. Look at the CS% and compare those to league average.

Faraz Shaikh said...

JZ will likely make more than $4 million I suppose. I hope it is an extension.

Unknown said...

Good stuff really cheap for his last season performance

SCNatsFan said...

Now Ross needs to start strong and forever end the thought he might be headed but to the bullpen. Personally I think he showed last year he has turned the corner.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Section 222 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Faraz, JZim is the one guy I think needs to be tied up into a long-term deal. He's earned it and deserves it.

My gut feeling from what I have heard is it won't happen just yet but certainly I could see them just buying out the rest of his arb years.

I will continue to hope for that the 2 sides can come to an agreement for an overall extension to take out some FA years but keep in mind that both sides have to want to do it.

MicheleS said...

Dang Stammen got it done too!

Section 222 said...

For ease of reference, Mark's projections from his January 10 post were:

SP Jordan Zimmermann $4,000,000
RP Tyler Clippard $3,500,000
SS Ian Desmond $3,000,000
RP Drew Storen $3,000,000
SP Ross Detwiler $2,000,000
RP Craig Stammen $1,500,000
OF Roger Bernadina $1,000,000

So far he was a little over on Storen and a little under on Det. I think we all expect that JZnn will get the most (if they all go for one year deals), but I wonder if Desi will be closer to Storen money or JZnn money. And how much more will Clipp make than Storen. It's a fascinating window on how the team values the players.

I also think that all of them will sign before going to hearing, but maybe not today. On the other hand, as has been mentioned, Rizzo can be hard core and isn't afraid to go to a hearing if he thinks the player is asking too much.

UnkyD said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
and now Rizzo says no need for a late inning lefty reliever.
January 18, 2013 11:49 AM
-----------
Cue "film at 11:00" of presser, introducing late inning lefty reliever?
January 18, 2013 12:34 PM

LOL

MicheleS said...

And it's a two year for Craig

Mark Zuckerman‏@ZuckermanCSN
Craig Stammen has agreed to a 2-year deal with the #Nats, avoiding arbitration, according to his agency.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
FW, "As I said upthread, it's an issue. Just not as big an issue as people make it out to be."

I never said that it is a big issue but it is an issue.


And I pointed out a bigger issue. So what's your problem?

Faraz Shaikh said...

Thanks Section222. I actually had Mark's that particular post open in another tab so I can pick on Mark as figures are revealed.

GoSM, we couldn't agree more. I would give JZ a six-year extension right now if he is willing for anywhere to between $60-70 million.

MicheleS said...

So if JZ goes to Arb, he should just show that 1 inning in game 4. He would win.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

MicheleS said...
So if JZ goes to Arb, he should just show that 1 inning in game 4. He would win.


Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Rizzo would counter with his Game 2 start.

Faraz Shaikh said...

"So if JZ goes to Arb, he should just show that 1 inning in game 4. He would win."
That was priceless.

Faraz Shaikh said...

FW, what bigger issue you pointed out?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SP Jordan Zimmermann $4,000,000 is with SFX
RP Tyler Clippard $3,500,000 is with Excel
SS Ian Desmond $3,000,000 is with Sports One

These could all be more complicated and are the more expensive Arb eligible Nats.

MicheleS said...

Ahh.. Feel Wood is in a Debbie Downer mood today.

Faraz Shaikh said...

yeah, it feels like Rizzo is going by some order on his checklist.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
FW, what bigger issue you pointed out?


WHIP. To go back to your original question, Soriano's low WHIP means it doesn't really matter how good he is at holding runners.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
Thanks Section222. I actually had Mark's that particular post open in another tab so I can pick on Mark as figures are revealed.

GoSM, we couldn't agree more. I would give JZ a six-year extension right now if he is willing for anywhere to between $60-70 million.

January 18, 2013 12:43 PM


I like the idea of a 6 year deal and I think now is the time to do it. I think the longer you wait the more expensive it gets. I think they should offer the same deal they did for Gio.

JZim and Desi are the 2 to tie up. Desi will be interesting as he is the top player in his agent's firm so this is a big deal for his agent. Desi is coming off of a great year. Rizzo may want to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I have to jump on a plane. Will be checking back in!

Kevin Rusch said...

The only knock on a 6-year deal - what if he tears his labrum this June? Then you're on the hook for 5 years and he may never be the same.

MicheleS said...

Looks like Shark signed too!

Faraz Shaikh said...

Kevin, that could happen to Gio also. I understand you can't hand out six year extensions to everyone you please but JZ seems like the guy I would bet on for next six years. and like GoSM said, we can work couple of team or vesting options in there like Gio's contract.

Faraz Shaikh said...

$5 for MM t-shrits. at least that's what twitter says. I wonder where we can get it. I don't want to go all the way to the team store.

MicheleS said...

FS.. don't worry, the MM shirts will be at the store on clearance first home game. Lord they still had Dukes jersey's they were trying to get rid of last year.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

I'm certain the Morse shirts will sell a lot faster than Dukes. They'll also sell faster than LaRoche. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen any LaRoche gear in the team store at all. Do they even make it?

Faraz Shaikh said...

FW, you bothered to look at his WHIP. did you look at his seasonal WHIP for last four seasons? you don't think it is important and I am not ready to discard it as a non-issue. let's agree on that and move on.

MicheleS said...

FW.. YUP.. They have the ALR stuff, I own the Shirsey. And walking around the park I have seen many ALR Jerseys (and that's some coin)

Scooter said...

NatsNut, I'll just point out hat punishing someone professionally for having the audacity to negotiate a contract is pretty reprehensible behavior.

I am open to the possibility that Mike Rizo does reprehensible things, of course. We all do things of which we're not entirely proud.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

And when it came down to choosing between Detwiler and Lannan, well, he COULD have worked harder at keeping Lannan up, couldn't he have? It's not like Detwiler had never been in the bullpen before.

That choice had everything to do with Lannan having an option left and Detwiler being out of options. So the only thing Rizzo could possibly have done to keep Lannan up would have been to cut Detwiler. So your theory is that the only reason Detwiler made the team is because Rizzo was pissed at Lannan from the arbitration hearing? That's so far-fetched that the fetch has totally disappeared from it.

Unknown said...

10 mil for Stammen.. sheesh he was kinda horrible in the playoffs

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
FW, you bothered to look at his WHIP. did you look at his seasonal WHIP for last four seasons? you don't think it is important and I am not ready to discard it as a non-issue. let's agree on that and move on.


Um, his career WHIP that I quoted includes all of his seasons, including the last four. It's also more influenced by the seasons he has pitched the most innings, which includes his last four.

djinFl. said...

The "Shark" has a deal according to his rep.

sm13 said...

C'mon Rizzo, get those 6 year deals done with Jordan and Ian. You're on a roll....

MicheleS said...

The number for Stammen is revised, not $10M as ladson reported, more like $2

MicheleS said...

Djinfl.. you can by me a beverage at spring training ;-)

Faraz Shaikh said...

FW, I feel like I am going completely off the topic that I wanted to talk about. I am not interested in talking a reliever's WHIP (just to be clear, higher WHIP in recent years have more bad influence than good on your career WHIP trajectory). I will end at that.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

NatsNut said...
And the Nyjer Morgan trade was a strictly baseball-related transaction too.


The Nyjer trade only affected one player. Your Lannan conspiracy affects two, one of whom is an innocent bystander. Big difference.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

FW, I feel like I am going completely off the topic that I wanted to talk about. I am not interested in talking a reliever's WHIP

Then why do you keep bringing it up?

djinFl. said...

MicheleS got you covered.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

NatsNut said...
I meant the Nyjer Morgan/Cutter Dykstra trade.


In which Rizzo punished one Nats player he had a grudge against (Morgan). He didn't punish one player (Detwiler) because he had a grudge against another (Lannan).

Faraz Shaikh said...

FW, nice try.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Okay. Because I say Rizzo is not mean, that makes me mean. Whatever.

baseballswami said...

Not like Stammen was the only one that showed cracks during the post season. Most of the guys were losing it as early as September.

NatsLady said...

Haven't bought any gear this winter, but DEFINITELY gonna check out an ALR jersey. Will wander over to the team store next week.

NatsLady said...

Rizzo is tough. He didn't like Morgan. I did, for the first year and have the jersey to prove it. He didn't like Lannan, and neither did I (no jersey). At a certain point, you let go of guys, even character guys, which I think Lannan is. You give them as long a rope as you think their talent is worth (CMW, Ankiel) but in the end, you might have to cut the rope.

baseballswami said...

Pay, and extend JZ and Desi- now, while you can.

Anonymous said...

Holding different opinions and arguing them is one thing -- you wouldn't be reading this blog in January if you weren't a serious fan -- but the personal stuff is just stupid, particularly among imaginary friends or enemies. Somebody needs to be an adult and stop responding to someone else's sniping. Can't we just make some snide remark about the fact that Ladson reported Stammen to have signed a 2 year/$10mm deal and move on?

baseballswami said...

NatsLadt- they all absolutely love DeRosa, but he no longer has anything of value to thd team. Coaching maybe , not on the field.

NatsLady said...

I don't see JZ agreeing to an extension unless it's really big bucks. Why should he? He's under-rated but he will come into his own and be good wherever he goes. NY wouldn't faze him in the least--steady as you go.

OTOH, I could see Desi signing an extension, and thriving in DC/Nats Town, but he isn't the kind of "star" that makes it in NY--even if he wanted to go there.

I realize that's subjective.

NatsLady said...

swami--DeRosa? Did I mention him? Don't know his status, but would be interested to know.

I'm saying it here, so mark it down. Werth will be sitting on the bench one of these years as the "bench coach" and managing the team eventually (2017, 2018?).

Speaking of extensions, number one priority---EXTEND MIKE RIZZO.

baseballswami said...

NatsLady- you are not wrong about JZ. Not every player just wants to stay here. He is not a city guy for one thing. Maybe he always wanted to go home and play in Milwaukee, who knows. I want the Nats to keep him, but itight not happen that way. But I hope it does.

baseballswami said...

No, NL you didn't mention DeRo- just noting that being liked or not is not what it's about. In the Ankiel category, good guy, but..........

MicheleS said...

NJ.. please report if Rizzo takes a subtle shot at Bowden( not that he would, but I personally would love it)

NatsLady said...

Swami, absolutely I hope the Nats can keep JZ. But just saying "sign him to an extension" is wishful thinking. Rizzo knows the priorities, way more than we fans do. He will offer, but he can't make JZ accept.

peric said...

well, he COULD have worked harder at keeping Lannan up, couldn't he have? It's not like Detwiler had never been in the bullpen before.

Let's wait and see if Lannan is able to improve what are basically horrible advanced stats that indicate a guy you will often have to rescue around the 4th or 5th inning before he implodes. His fastball and sinker sit around 88 mph. And he'll now be pitching in a bandbox.

Then we can get a true objective opinion on Lannan and whether he is worth 5 million or 5.7 million as a starting pitcher.

In my opinion he received that money just because he was the pitcher who held down the fort during the really ugly years when the Nats essentially had no starting pitching. Nevertheless, it should be a telling sign even to the least knowledgeable fan when a guy who was probably 40 years old took away Lannan's slot as ace of that rotation via a far better performance.

And just IMHO I believe he deserved every penny just for that very reason. That is not to say he did not deserve to be in AAA because I foresaw that coming well before his arbitration hearing. At the same time I never quibbled about the amount only his less than "sterling" performances in Syracuse the first half of the season. He righted the ship after his first appearance in the majors even though, if we go just by performance, Zach Duke deserved those appearances far more than John Lannan did.

Consider Duke and his performance last year by comparison when you considering the possibility that Rizzo treated Lannan unfairly las season. In essence Duke was treated unfairly by Rizzo by favoring Lannan with the callup.

MicheleS said...

Posey's number seems low to me? I would have thought he would have gotten $10MM

Jon Morosi‏@jonmorosi

Posey's deal is one year for $8MM, confirming Hank Schulman report.

Faraz Shaikh said...

NL, guaranteed money is a big thing. I don't think many players would walk away from it.

peric said...

C'mon Rizzo, get those 6 year deals done with Jordan and Ian. You're on a roll....

Right now, I would say that would be job #1 even before identifying players to be drafted in the later rounds of this year's draft.

NatsLady said...

Peric, I will give Lannan a hand when he comes here to pitch for auld lang syne--but then I will root for Harper et al, to slam his "sinker" outta this Park.

NatsLady said...

FS, I understand the guaranteed money, ESPECIALLY for a pitcher. But I just don't see JZ rushing into a deal.

peric said...

Peric, I will give Lannan a hand when he comes here to pitch for auld lang syne--but then I will root for Harper et al, to slam his "sinker" outta this Park.

I fear that Harper and Desmond with more year of experience might just eat Lannan for lunch. And then Espy is due for a break out year offensively. It could get pretty ugly.

Nevertheless, he did hold down the fort during some very dark years when only we few die hard fans followed the team through thick and thin. It would be unconscionable to withhold credit for doing this for his team and the franchise. And glad I am that Rizzo is the kind of GM who did recognize him for what he did. That's a players' GM and a players' owner.

But, that does not preclude the possibility that John Lannan may not be the best major league starter ... and may in actuality end up close to the bottom by comparison.

SCNatsFan said...

I love what Lannan did for the franchise just as I respect Livo for what he did but I'm glad as a franchise we have moved past players like this. It is nice to finally have a roster players like this aren't an integral part of, no disrespect to them.

sm13 said...

Peric - I agree with your views on Lannan. He did get the benefit of the doubt with his callup and immediate slot into Stras' spot in the rotation.

PDowdy83 said...

Michelle, this is Posey's first arb season. Anything higher than that would be crazy. That was actually $2.1m higher than mlbtraderumors was predicting for him.

Natslady, you argument about Rizzo can offer an extension but can't make JZimm sign it seems to miss one point. The reason JZimm may be interested in a Gio type deal is he has ALREADY had one major arm surgery. If he can get $45mil guaranteed that sets him up for life. There is always the thought in his mind the arm could go out again at any time and he could miss out on millions. That is why these early career extensions get done so often nowadays. Sure he could make a huge pay day as a free agent but even if he signed a 5 year deal he would make it to free agency at the ripe age of 32 and could still cash in on another contract.

SonnyG10 said...

peric said...

...And glad I am that Rizzo is the kind of GM who did recognize him for what he did. That's a players' GM and a players' owner...
January 18, 2013 2:35 PM


I like the sound of that, and I agree. I think this is another reason FAs will want to come to DC.

#4 said...

Off topic. Did anyone see who won the equivalent of the Cy Young in the Dominican Winter League this year? .... Daniel Cabrera - yes that Daniel Cabrera. He was 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Amazing.

Gonat said...

MicheleS said...
The number for Stammen is revised, not $10M as ladson reported, more like $2

January 18, 2013 1:44 PM
_____________________________

Just embarassing for Ladson. Here he wanted to be first with the news and botched it. It didn't occur to him that $10 million was an outrageous amount before he typed in his Tweeter?

It wasn't as if it was a typo or a transposition.

Scooter said...

NatsNut, I think Rizzo complained about a reliever's "aura." Logan Kensing?

Scooter said...

And I cannot for the life of me remember which player was "deleted." Little help, friends?

MicheleS said...

Ian is done too! Amanda just tweeted.

Gonat said...

MicheleS, that is really good news! JZim'mann and Clip are the 2 remaining, right?

I think Bernadina's deal tells us at $1.2 million that he is on the team as well as Staymen, uh, Stammen.

Duke, Stammen, #3, #4, Clippard, Storen, Soriano

Scooter said...

Oh, and I wanted to respond to NatsLady. I've suspected for a while that if Zimmermann were anxious for a long-term contract, he would have signed one by now. Surely the team has made some overtures. Now, this doesn't mean he's dead set against an extension, just that he won't jump at a severely discounted deal.

I try not to dwell on this, because it raises the possibility that JORDAN does not feel about me as I do about him. Such thoughts do my emotional state no little amount of damage. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find some pictures of bunnies or something.

EmDash said...

Desmond's got a one-year deal for $3.8 million, about $.6 million above MLB Trade Rumors' projection for him. Not a bad deal.

Re: Lannan facing the Nats - I've always wondered, does a pitcher generally have the most trouble with his former team? It seems like they would, especially if he was with the team for a long time; the infielders especially have to be pretty familiar with his patterns/motions/any even very-tiny tells he might have from the sheer number of repetitions they've seen of his delivery. But I don't know if the numbers back that up, or if it's just something that seems like it should be true.

Section 222 said...

I agree with NL about JZnn. He'll make a lot of money in his next three arbitration years, and will be a free agent at age 29. At that point, he could be headed to a Zach Greinke payday.

Maybe he signs a three year deal for serious money to buy out the arbitration years, but I kind of doubt he'll do that either. His spot in the rotation is secure, and this year, with the reins completely off after his surgery (maybe Davey will even let him pitch into the eight inning every now and then), he could set himself up for even bigger salaries for 2014 and 2015.

Life is good when you're Jordan Zimmermann.

TimDz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TimDz said...

#4 said...

Off topic. Did anyone see who won the equivalent of the Cy Young in the Dominican Winter League this year? .... Daniel Cabrera - yes that Daniel Cabrera. He was 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Amazing.

My son's little league team had an award that was the equivalent of the Cy Young award too....
As good as the winner of THAT award was...he'd still get shelled by a high school team...

Section 222 said...

Great to see Rizzo not nickel and dimeing our young core after going large for Haren, LaRoche, and Soriano, and for Werth and Zim before them. They deserve these healthy arbitration year salaries. Just great news that nearly everyone is already in the fold.

Gonat said...

Clip is done.

Gonat said...

Sect222, everyone got a bonus especially the $10 million that Ladson said Stammen got.

Now with Clippard done the remaining Nat is Jordan Zimmermann!

Section 222 said...

The Nats Journal piece on Bernadina signing has that great picture of his game saving catch against the Astros. I just love seeing Craig Stammen all alone in the bullpen behind the fence!

Unknown said...

@Section 222 that had to be on every players mind would they take care of their own...

@Gonat That # was soooo off.. Zimm should get done (iHope)

Faraz Shaikh said...

Hope to hear about JZ soon.

NatsLady said...

Clip signed. My day is made!

NatsLady said...

With regard to JZ: Yes, I agree all pitchers know their arm could go in a terrible minute, and yes, JZ has had surgery and come back from it. NEVERTHELESS, JZ is one tough dude, and he will not be intimidated into signing for less than he is worth. I respect that.

TimDz said...

...Desmond was in his first year of arbitration, having made only $512,500 last season while posting career-best numbers and earning his first All-Star selection....

I know it is relative, but ONLY a half million dollars? It takes most of us ten years to make that amount....

SCNatsFan said...

Tim when you compare athletes minimum salaries with the real world it is frustrating, but last week there was a good article about some Padres farmhands who need summer jobs because of how poor the minors pay.

Section 222 said...

TimDz, I know what you mean. People have been talking about the big multiyear deal setting a player up for life. Heck, I'd feel set for life if I made for just a year what Desi will make next year!

But he totally deserves it. :-)

SonnyG10 said...

I hate the anxiety of the arbitration process. Be glad to get this part out of the way and get all our guys signed. Let's go Zimm and Rizzo, get'er done.

Faraz Shaikh said...

more surprising is the fact that how some of these players end up broke later on. hire me to handle your money. :P

baseballswami said...

Hunter Pence , 13.8, Posey, 8. Giants committing some cash. You think JZ will go to arbitration?

Faraz Shaikh said...

let's hope that taking time to make announcement means an extension is being signed.

SCNatsFan said...

I don't think JZ will sign today but will sign a multiyear before the hearing

peric said...

Reinforcing what Natsjack said ... this is one where Rizzo wants him long-term we should a long-term extension with JZimmnn come out at some point soon.

Scooter said...

But Sonny, they are already signed. We already know what team Jordan Zimmermann will pitch for next year; we just don't know exactly how much they'll pay him.

I understand that the dollar figures are interesting to some. I totally get that. But try not to have anxiety, my friend! JORDAN is ours!

Faraz Shaikh said...

NJ, true about being favorite draft pick. I remember reading somewhere how Rizzo convinced Bowden to draft this guy from Wisconsin school no one had heard of much. I believe Rizzo personally scouted him or something.

Steve Walker said...

To an earlier question. Soriano stinks at holding runners on, but barely anyone gets on against him just like Clip and Store

peric said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
peric said...

NJ, true about being favorite draft pick. I remember reading somewhere how Rizzo convinced Bowden to draft this guy from Wisconsin school no one had heard of much.

Rizzo still personally scouts guys ... the story goes like this I think ... even though Stan made Rizzo the master of the draft and Bowden was amenable to letting him make the call ... the Reds cronies that Bowden hired were also in the room.

In order to draft a kid from a northern school that high the cronies were allowed to select their favorite lumbering Jack Zduriencik type player in the 1S sandwich round in 2007. Many here may have forgotten him as Rizzo flipped him in a trade a couple of seasons ago: His name was Michael Burgess.

peric said...

Michael Burgess did yield Tom Gorzelanny which was clearly an overwhelming Nationals win in that deal. Of course the Cub's initiators of that trade are now long gone. as will soon be Jack Zduriencik.

MicheleS said...

Jordan filed at $5.8m, Nats are at 4.6 per Heyman

peric said...

Be nice to see AJ Morris runner up to Stras for the silver spikes finally make it in the bigs. Be nice to get him back since the Nats specialize in being the M*A*S*H of baseball. Of course the Cubs may now be emulating that model.

Unknown said...

Ok this'll be interesting Zimm will tell the judge hes worth 5.8m and Rizzo will say 4.6m

peric said...

Still think they are trying to hammer out a long-term extension ... perhaps Ted Lerner will get involved as he did with Soriano. If there is one spot where he should this is it.

Section 222 said...

Sounds like a $5 million deal might be in the works. I still don't think JZnn wants a long term deal unless the terms are astronomical.

DaveB said...

My guess is that JZ feels (justifiably) that he has been somewhat unlucky in terms of run support over the last couple of years. If that turns around at some point here, he could easily have a big year that would be a better platform for a long term deal. Seems logical, and I hope it works out for him.

SonnyG10 said...

Scooter said...
But Sonny, they are already signed. We already know what team Jordan Zimmermann will pitch for next year; we just don't know exactly how much they'll pay him.

I understand that the dollar figures are interesting to some. I totally get that. But try not to have anxiety, my friend! JORDAN is ours!
January 18, 2013 4:55 PM


OK, I'll try. Still wish it was settled so there's nothing to think about except playing the game.

peric said...

Sounds like a $5 million deal might be in the works. I still don't think JZnn wants a long term deal unless the terms are astronomical.

Well, consider this: he has had TJ surgery so he knows, up-close-and-personal, the injury risks associated with pitching professionally.

Its a choice. You get the security now and injury isn't something you need to worry about for a good while. If you don't and you get injured?

Both sides are taking a risk. The Nats betting that JZimmnn stays healthy and continues to pitch effectively. JZimmnn taking a pretty huge salary jump to remain team controllable ... more security as opposed to gambling on the big pay day waiting for free agency.

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