Nationals bringing back franchise legend Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman is running it back with the Nationals on a one-year deal.
The Washington Nationals began play in 2005 and used their first draft pick on Ryan Zimmerman the same year. He made his debut during that 2005 season and has been with the team since.
The veteran did opt out in 2020, potentially ending his career on a quiet note. However, good news appeared Friday regarding his status for the 2021 season.
It feels awkward tweeting about baseball news on a day like this, but the #Nats are bringing back franchise favorite Ryan Zimmerman on a one-year, $1 million contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2021
Zimmerman returning to the Nationals
Zimmerman is back on a one-year, $1 million deal. And for those curious, Bob Nightengale appears to be referring to the death of Hank Aaron when he says it is a weird day to tweet out baseball news.
The Nationals mainstay got his big money back in 2012 when he signed a $100 million extension. He had a team option for $18 million declined last season, but returned on a small deal and opted out anyway. Him making $1 million in 2021 is not bad considering his massive past earnings.
Zimmerman’s effectiveness has dropped off since he made the All-Star Game during the 2017 season. He only appeared in 85 games in 2018, followed by only 52 games in 2019. However, he did appear in all seven World Series games and had a home run as his team took home the title.
He is now 36 years old and having him around will be helpful mainly for his experience at this point. Zimmerman has not had an at-bat since the 2019 World Series and it may be a lot to expect him to return to his All-Star ways. His contract shows the front office is thinking the same.
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But this is a player who is the Nationals and having him play anywhere else would have felt weird. He is back for one more run as the Nationals look to rebound following a letdown during the shortened 2020 season.