The Washington Nationals and veteran first baseman Ryan Zimmerman agreed to a one-year, $1-million deal Saturday.
In conclusion... pic.twitter.com/AU76WJLzin
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 23, 2021
The contract also contains a variety of performance incentives based on games, plate appearances, and awards. Zimmerman also received full no-trade protection in writing from the Nationals, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Ryan Zimmerman $1M #Nats
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 23, 2021
Plus $50K for 50g; 65; 80; 95; 110; 50K for 200pa; 250; 300; 350; 400
Plus $500K for MVP ($200K 2nd-5th) $100K for ASG, Most ASG vote, BA/TSN/AP Player of Year/MVP, $150K for DS/MVP, for LCS/MVP, $250K for WS/MVP, 100K for SS, GG, Aaron
Zimmerman, who opted out of last season, will likely slot in as a bench piece and backup at first base behind Josh Bell. He's presumed to get some starts against left-handed pitching, owing to his superior splits against southpaws throughout his career. Zimmerman posted a .966 OPS against left-handers in 2019.
The 36-year-old has spent his entire 15-year career with the Nationals after they drafted him fourth overall in 2005, months after moving to D.C. from Montreal. He holds a number of offensive records from the team's Washington era.
Zimmerman won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019, hitting .257/.321/.415 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 52 games. Overall, the two-time All-Star is a career .279/.343/.475 hitter with 1,784 hits, 270 homers, and 1,015 RBIs.