Ryan Zimmerman isn't a free agent until after the 2013 season, but he's still the most popular player in Washington Nationals history, short as it is. The Nationals don't want him getting too close to free agency, and it looks like Zimmerman is of a similar mind. From ESPN's Tim Kurkjian:
Ryan Zimmerman just told us that he is close to a contract extension with the Nationals
Well, that's gr ... wait, what's that, William Ladson?
I just spoke to #Nats 3B Ryan Zimmerman. He is not close to a contract extension -- yet. His agent and Mike Rizzo have yet to talk today.
That doesn't help at all. Ladson is a Nationals beat writer, and he's usually spot on, so I guess we're quibbling about the definition of "close" now. Zimmerman set a deadline for Saturday to get something done, and the two sides are obviously making progress.
It seems the holdup might be related to a no-trade clause, according to Jon Heyman. Heyman also reports that ...
Key to zimmerman deal, he didn't ask for "tulo money." Hearing it will come in around $18M per.
Forget Troy Tulowitzki: If it's six years at $18 million, that isn't even Jayson Werth money. If Heyman is right, this could be a great deal for the Nats.