Nats extend qualifying offers to Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond (plus Williams note)

The Nationals extended qualifying offers to right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond, but not center fielder Denard Span, prior to today's 5 p.m. deadline.

Neither Zimmermann nor Desmond, who have both played their entire careers for the Nationals, are expected to accept the qualifying offer worth $15.8 million for the 2016 season (the average of the top 125 salaries in the majors). Both have until Nov. 13 to decide whether to take the qualifying offer or pass and enter free agency.

If they reject the offer and sign with another team, the Nationals will receive the highest 2016 draft pick from their new teams. The compensation is typically a first-round pick, unless it's protected in the top 10.

Since the qualifying offer became part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2012, no major leaguer has ever accepted it. Five other Nationals - second baseman Dan Uggla, outfielder Nate McLouth, left-hander Matt Thornton, and right-handers Doug Fister and Casey Janssen have the right to sign with another team when free agency officially begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Span's case for a qualifying offer was a curious one. The veteran is coming off major hip surgery in early September with an expected recovery period of six months. He also had two hernia surgeries last offseason, which led to repeated setbacks during the year. Span, 31, spent lengthy periods on the disabled list before his season eventually ended after appearing in only 61 games. The Nationals still could negotiate a deal with Span but they also have 24-year-old Michael A. Taylor ready to take over in center field.

Desmond fought back tears when reflecting on his time in D.C. following the Nationals' last game and both he and Zimmermann wrote heartfelt goodbyes to the fans after the season on Twitter. With Anthony Rendon expected to move back to third base in 2016, the Nationals could shift Yunel Escobar to shortstop to replace Desmond or use a combination of Danny Espinosa and rookie Trea Turner at short.

Fister seemed to be a candidate for a qualifying offer before the season, but regressed in 2016 before eventually finishing the year as a reliever after a demotion to the bullpen. Thornton could be re-signed. At 39, the left-hander posted a 2.18 ERA in 60 appearances in 2015.

Notes: Former Nationals manager Matt Williams may find himself back on his feet quickly. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks have offered their third base coaching position to Williams after Andy Green left to become Padres manager. Williams was Arizona's third base coach for three seasons before becoming skipper in D.C.

Bryce Harper has been named a finalist for Players Choice Awards for Major League Baseball's Player of the Year and the National League's Outstanding Player. Winners will be announced on the MLB Network on Monday, Nov. 9. Harper is up against the Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson and the Dodgers' Zack Greinke for the overall award, while his competition for NL honors are the Rockies' Nolan Arenado and the Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt.