Sources: Zimmerman agrees to return on one-year deal

The only person to play in at least one game for each of the Nationals' 15 years of existence is coming back for a 16th year.

Ryan Zimmerman and the Nats have agreed to terms on a new one-year contract that will pay the veteran first baseman a guaranteed $2 million plus incentives that could push the total value up to $5 million, according to two sources familiar with the move.

The deal, which is pending a physical and includes a full no-trade clause, gives Zimmerman the ability to increase his pay based on games played and plate appearances, according to the sources. Combined with the $2 million the Nationals paid to buy out the $18 million option that had been attached to his previous contract, Zimmerman could wind up earning as much as $7 million this year.

The Washington Post was first to report the new contract.

Zimmerman's return had been expected all offseason, with both sides insisting throughout they believed a deal would get done. But it took a while nonetheless, with the 35-year-old a free agent for the first time in his career and having lost much of his leverage with multiple public statements that he wouldn't play for any other franchise and that he was willing to take a significantly reduced salary to return for another season.

The reduction in compensation is indeed significant. Zimmerman made $18 million last season after making $14 million each of the previous six seasons. His salary hasn't been this low since 2008, when he made $465,000 as a young third baseman who didn't yet have enough big league service time to negotiate contract terms.

The Nationals don't expect Zimmerman to play every day for them this season. They previously signed left-handed slugger Eric Thames to a one-year deal that guarantees $4 million, and they'll intend to have Zimmerman share the first base job with him. Postseason hero Howie Kendrick, also back on a one-year deal that guarantees $6.25 million, will get playing time at first base, second base and potentially third base.

Zimmerman played in a career-low 52 games last season, beset by plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He wound up batting .257 with six homers, 27 RBIs and a .736 OPS, but he finished the regular season strong and then started 14 of the Nationals' 17 postseason games, hitting key home runs in the National League Division Series and World Series.