The 2020 season was the first in Nationals’ team history without Ryan Zimmerman on the roster. After opting out in 2020, Zimmerman intends to return to the diamond in 2021, per Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
There’s no timetable for when Zimmerman might sit down with the Nats, but it’s safe to assume he’s not looking to relocate. Mr. Nat has indicated at every turn that he expects the Nationals to be his only professional franchise, and the love-fest has been a two-way street.
The Nationals happen to have a need at first and the ability to platoon Zimmerman. Manager Davey Martinez is used to protecting his veterans and piecing together the timeshare at first, as he’s done for the last couple of seasons. Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Eric Thames split time at first in Zim’s absence. All three are now free agents. Jake Noll currently sits atop the depth chart, but it’s safe to assume the 26-year-old with 30 career plate appearances isn’t likely to remain there through opening day.
The Nats have been linked to a number of top free agents, while GM Mike Rizzo noted their flexibility in seeking upgrades. Essentially, the Nats have room for improvement at both infield corners as well as whichever outfield corner Juan Soto doesn’t make camp in. If they were to make a run at J.T. Realmuto, few would be surprised, though Rizzo has said they are comfortable letting Yan Gomes crouch behind the plate for 90 to 100 games in 2021.
Regardless, Zimmerman’s clear intention to return ought to lend some clarity to Rizzo. He had signed for $2MM prior to opting out of 2020, and that’s a reasonable number to project for this season as well. He was tagged with a persistent case of plantar fasciitis in 2019, though he returned to slug a couple of big postseason home runs, as well as, appropriately, the first ever World Series long ball in franchise history.
Facing a fair amount of turnover from their title team in 2019, the Nats will appreciate Zimmerman’s stabilizing presence in the locker room. He’s not, however, likely to soak up much playing time. The 36-year-old has appeared in 100 games just twice over the last seven seasons, averaging 92 games and 364 plate appearances over that span. With a .263/.323/.470 line since 2014, he’s been a 107 wRC+ bat without any positional flexibility. Despite his limited utility, the team has shown a tremendous amount of faith in their longest-tenured player.
Hope he comes back strong. Has always been a solid player.
I would be they’ll bring him back on the cheap to ride the bench and make a couple spot starts. Why not?
Zimmerman has always been a good player, but now he is awfully forgettable.
He hit a couple of key homeruns I will never forget in that 2019 run I’m not even a Nationals fan I’m a Cardinals fan which means I’m a baseball fan. Always have liked Zimmermann though ever since his debut.
As long as he understands “intending to play in 2021” means “celebrity pickup games” or “in Japan”.
He wont be doing either. Great that you chimed in though.
Come’on man, this guy is a living legend have a little respect for him please?
man is hero in dc and a class act kinda guy you want around your younger players to help mentor them. there not asking him to be the cornerstone he once was nor is he. zim feels like he can still go out there and help his team and if dc think he can help what’s the issue. it’s not like he’s wanting 35m i’m sure if you offered the min he would sign.
For who? Even the Nationals have to be smart enough to realize they need difference makers on offense and not more old veterans.
to be fair, their 1B situation currently consists of Jake Noll or whoever else on their roster wants to try their hand at the position in the spring.
Go LandCrabs — read the article. Where is it suggested that they would intend him to be a “difference maker”?
With Kendrick retiring they don’t have any real 1B candidates. Zim can’t play a full season.so they’ll have to get someone else. And they gotta hope that the NL is going to have a DH.
Zimmerman is the most important player in their short history. He deserves a farewell from the fans.
They’ll bring him back cheap. And if they don’t he’s going to retire. He’s not going anywhere else.
He’s not very far removed from some really nice seasons, but he’s also 36 and coming off of a crappy season plus an opt-out. I can easily see the Nats deciding to spend their money elsewhere, and then who knows if anyone else is interested.
Zimmerman was priceless as a slick fielding third Baseman and fine hitter, That landed him the fat contract. Unfortunately the shoulder issue which prevented him from playing 3B and affected his hitting made this contract a bust for the Nats.
Priceless as a slick fielding third Baseman and fine hitter. You should’ve stopped there.
At the time it was a fat contract. 10/$100
May say 15 seasons, but really only about 10.5.
Sadly, yes….prolly even less by abs ….ida loved too see the numbers with an inj free 15~17 seasons with 500/600 abs per – Think he woulda been a HOF’er
When Zimmerman was locked in he would be the best hitter in the bigs for months at a time, he used to go on some major heaters-
Had one of the sweater RH swings as well in the past 30 years; along with Manny and Edgar – Really kept that front shoulder in well against righties, something that is still unnatural even at the highest levels for RH hitters vs RHP.
I think he would be a good hitting coach candidate later on
Just because he decides to play doesn’t mean the Nats need to sign him.
Ryan Zimmerman’s career is why teams have their own Hall of Fame. He was definitely a vital member of their history, but also one of those guys that baseball will forget about in a generation or two. As a long time baseball fan (Come after me, I’m a man. I’m 40!), I love that the player and team remain loyal to each other. Classy on both sides.
Fans of the game wont forget Zimmerman. And DC wont either. The guy will probably never have to worry about paying the bill in a DC restaurant for the rest of his life.
Martinez does not play “aging” vets like Zimmerman full time, or even near full time. So Rizzo signing Zimmerman for a 1 year deal makes complete sense — he’ll see limited time at 1B, PH, and/or DH if the NL incorporates it. If no DH, it’s still a signing that makes sense. And based on what Zimmerman has done for the franchise on the field since 2005 (including some key hits in the World Series run), I don’t believe any Nationals fans care whether lounge chair observers remember the guy or not.
Nats fan over here. There gonna sign him small for 1 year hope fans watch him play in his final year. Then he will be given a happy farewell. We love u ZIM!
Part time 1B and right handed bat coming off the bench would be a perfect spot for him. Just hope he doesnt expect 20 mil.
He signed for 1 year at $2m last season before opting out, why would he expect $20m? Did you even read the article lol
What article? I thought we were just chit chatting.
He must have caught word there’s gonna b a AAA season
Realistically all that Nats need to offer now is a spring invite with an agreement on a salary amount if/when Zimmerman gets added to the roster.
Who?
I felt a small twinge of sadness saying that but the guy opted out of 2020. The World Series win may have been 10 years ago, not even die hard Nats fans care anymore.
He was already offered a thank you contract, I hope for his sake he’s not expecting it again.
I foresee a minor league offer only and that’s as a courtesy. Ryan, the writing is on the wall, don’t embarass yourself.
I felt a twinge of laughter reading your post. He’ll get a 1 yr deal like the last one, 2m or less, and he’ll play on the big club….and next time dont embarrass yourself with another fact-challenged post.
Zimmerman and a left handed hitter to platoon at 1B will likely be the case in Washington next season
Who?
OK. No real surprise. The more important question would be, who is the left handed hitter he will platoon with?
My vote? Jake Lamb
Lamb, Mitch Moreland, Eric Thames, Justin Bour, Justin Smoak, Jay Bruce, Travis Shaw, Logan Morrison, Daniel Murphy, Neil Walker, Matt Adams. Lots of options available and most should come relatively cheap
True. I hope Rizzo and Co wouldn’t even consider bringing back Eric Thames (what a disaster he was this year). Murphy would be welcomed back for sure (on the right deal). I like Jake Lamb because he can also play 3B, which could be helpful.
He seems like a real class act and a great clubhouse presence as well. I hope for his sake that he can return and be at least somewhat productive — though at this stage in his career — and having taken an entire year off… I’m not really sure how much he’s got left in the tank. Though who knows… maybe an entire season off and to rest his Plantar Fasciitis will wind up giving him some renewed life… I mean it was just a few years ago people were ready to write him off completely and he responded with a 36 HR campaign… maybe in a limited/platoon role he can again surprise us and come out with some better than expected power numbers. At the very least he can at least be counted on for professional at-bats and solid clubhouse leadership — though at this point I think the Nats might also need to bring in additional help at first base in the even that Zimmerman just doesn’t really have enough pop left in his bat to provide them with sufficient offense.