Nationals agree to 2-year extension with GM Rizzo

The Washington Nationals locked up one of their impending free agents Thursday, agreeing to a two-year extension with general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo.

Rizzo was in the final year of his contract but will now continue in his role through the 2020 season.

"I'm proud of the progress we've made in Washington, D.C., building the Nationals from nearly expansion status into one of the winningest clubs in Major League Baseball," Rizzo said in a statement. "I appreciate the Lerner family for giving me the continued opportunity to see what we can accomplish in the future."

Rizzo has served as the Nationals' GM since 2009. Over that time, the club owns a .572 winning percentage and has claimed the National League East division title four times. It hasn't advanced past the National League Division Series in four postseason appearances, however.

"Mike's commitment to our shared goal of bringing a World Championship to Washington, D.C., makes this an exciting day for our family and the Washington Nationals," Nationals principal owner Ted Lerner said. "Mike and his staff have built quite a team - one that brings excitement to our ballpark every night and gives our city something to be proud of."

Rizzo has plenty of work to do this winter, as Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, and Gio Gonzalez are all set to become free agents.