Zimmerman embraces reduced salary, role in 16th season

As the weeks went by and the Nationals signed or re-signed eight other members of their World Series-winning roster, Ryan Zimmerman sat at home in Northern Virginia, technically a free agent but never for a moment worried he wouldn't join that list and re-join the Nats for a 16th season.

"I don't think there was ever really any doubt," he said.

Zimmerman, a free agent for the first time in his career, treated this offseason just as he did every previous one. Yes, he had a little more fun than usual, taking advantage of opportunities to suit up as a goalie at Capitals practice one day and riding as a passenger in a fighter jet another day. But he still went through his normal offseason training regimen and prepared himself to be ready to report for spring training once he officially signed.

Which he finally did today. After agreeing Friday night to terms on a one-year deal that includes a $2 million base salary and another $3 million in potential incentives, Zimmerman passed his physical, making his new contract official.

The 35-year-old first baseman, who had his $18 million contract option declined in early November, maintained all along he expected to return on a new short-term deal for less money. And that feeling didn't change as he watched the Nationals address a bunch of other needs over the first three months of this abbreviated offseason.

Once the other deals were completed, Zimmerman and Mike Rizzo met for 90 minutes in the general manager's office at Nationals Park. They laid out the framework of his new contract at that point, then waited for the finer details to be finalized before signing on the dotted line.

"They obviously had some more pressing issues to sum up at the beginning of the offseason, so we kind of knew we weren't going to start up a conversation or dialogue until those things were taken care of," he said today during a conference call with reporters. "The familiarity we have made that easier, to be able to sit back and not have to worry about anything. But once we really started talking, I went and met with Riz. And from there, it really only took maybe 10 days or two weeks."

Zimmerman, who has made more than $135 million during his career with the Nationals, didn't haggle over dollar amounts on this contract. He accepted a deal he felt was appropriate for a player of his age, ability and expected role.

"It's not about money anymore," he said. "It's about playing another year and being with this group of guys and being part of a really good team again. That's exciting. We have a chance to do something special again."

The incentives in this contract are based on how many games Zimmerman plays and how many plate appearances he takes. But his intention right now isn't to try to push those numbers as high as he possibly can.

With left-handed slugger Eric Thames added this winter and World Series hero Howie Kendrick also re-signed, manager Davey Martinez has multiple options at first base. Zimmerman understands he'll be one piece of that puzzle. Though he'll prepare himself for everyday duties in case it becomes necessary, he expects to be a part-timer this season, with 250 to 300 at-bats his preliminary target.

"It's not where I am in my career anymore, which I'm OK with," he said. "I haven't sat down with Davey or Riz and set a number or a goal or what the actual plan is, other than knowing that the actual plan is for me not to play every day. I think if you look around the infield at what they've done, we have four or five guys that can play different positions. It gives Davey the ability to match up and change the lineup for who we're playing that day."

Zimmerman feels like the rotation of veteran infielders the Nationals have assembled - himself, Thames, Kendrick, Starlin Castro and Asdrúbal Cabrera, plus everyday shortstop Trea Turner and possibly rookie Carter Kieboom - has a chance to work in the club's benefit over a full season.

"The game is kind of going that way," he said. "And to be able to have that kind of versatility, for Davey, is going to be a strength of our team."

After battling through a pesky foot injury for much of the 2019 season, Zimmerman finally got healthy in September, finished the regular season strong and then became a significant contributor in October. He was part of the game-winning rally in the National League wild card game, hit a key home run in Game 4 of the NL Division Series and then homered off Gerrit Cole for the first run in the Nats' first World Series game.

It's been a big celebration ever since, from that glorious night in Houston to the parade in D.C. and everything else that has followed. Given all that he had accomplished in his career, Zimmerman could've decided to ride off into the sunset as a champion, and few would've questioned it.

But the club's all-time leader in just about every offensive category has insisted all along he's still got more baseball in him. And with a roster that is built to contend for another title, there was a never a doubt in his mind he'd be back for his 16th season with the Nationals.

"I think the chance to win is great, but also the group of guys," he said. "The character that we have, how much fun it was last year; knowing the core group is coming back, that made it a lot easier, as well. And just the fact that I don't think I'm ready to stop playing yet. I love getting ready in the offseason. I love putting the time in now to prepare myself for the seven-month season. I think once that starts to dissipate a little bit, I'll have to really reconsider.

"The game is the easiest part right now. It's all the stuff after the game or the offseason where you really have to work your butt off to get ready. You know, when you don't really want to do that anymore, then it will be time to reconsider. But I still love doing that, I enjoy the competition and I look forward to how this new role goes and I'm excited about it."