Martinez believes Zimmerman can flourish in new role, even into 2020

Ryan Zimmerman started and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the Nationals' 6-3 series finale win over the Phillies on Thursday at Nats Park. It was only his third start since Sept. 17. During that span, Zimmerman has come into games as a pinch-hitter or late-inning defensive replacement.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said coming into a game as a pinch-hitter and excelling is difficult proposition. Because instead of having four or five at-bats in a game to get into a groove, you may have only a handful of pitches to make an impact. Plus, the moments a pinch-hitter arrives are usually critical opportunities to winning or having a chance to help the team make that game-changing comeback.

"He understands, and we talk about, you got to be aggressive, you got to be ready because you may only have one pitch to really hit," Martinez said. "And when he goes up there, the key is, when you get that one pitch, maybe not the first pitch, but you got to be ready to hit it. Especially with guys in scoring position."

Zimmerman has played in only 50 games this season, a full season career-low, as he battled plantar fasciitis in his right foot. But upon his return from his second stint this season on the injured list, Zimmerman has raked at the plate. The first baseman has hit .271 with six doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs in 17 September games.

"They've been really good (at-bats), they really have," Martinez said. "It's good to see that, and I had a good conversation with him when he came back about his role. The biggest thing with him is, when you accept your role, you're good. The guys that fight, that think 'I'm going to come back and play every day,' those are the guys that don't get it. He prepares himself every day and, if he gets one at-bat and he's not playing, he gets ready to get that one at-bat. But he's been really, really good."

That is a key point for Zimmerman is his new role. In years past, when he would come back from injury he would go right back into starting. But this season has been different, with days off, late-inning arrivals, pinch-hits and defensive replacements.

This offseason will be a big one for Zimmerman as he and the Nats decide whether he will come back next season. The former Virginia star is making $18 million this season, and his current contract ends in 2020, with a club option, also for $18 million. The buyout is for $2 million. With the Nats focused on resigning Anthony Rendon and others, plus with the realization that Zimmerman may not be able to play a full 162 games any more, it stands to reason the Nats might go to Zimmerman to renegotiate.

With Zimmerman having personal ties to the area - his wife, Heather, grew up in Northern Virginia - a young family that loves the area and his standing with the Nats, it seems likely the 34-year-old will want to remain with the team. But he'd probably have to take on a new role, perhaps at a reduced rate. Add to the $2 million buyout, say $3 million to $5 million, and Zimmerman could continue to be the Nats' first baseman and could play around 100-120 games.

Martinez believes Zimmerman would go for that type of role next season with the Nationals instead of going somewhere else.

"Absolutely, yeah, no doubt," Martinez said. "The biggest thing with him is keeping him healthy, the health. If he was healthy all year, if we could've kept him healthy, (he'd) put up big numbers. His bat speed is still there. His ability to hit the ball to right field hard is key for him, and he understands that. But if you watch him move around when he's healthy at first base, he can still play first base. I think he's one of the top first basemen in baseball when he's healthy."

Zimmerman has played baseball with the Nationals his whole 14-year career. Since 2005, Zimmerman has logged 1,687 games and 6,394 at-bats. Trea Turner, Adam Eaton, Juan Soto and Victor Robles have combined to play in 1,717 games. If you use only Eaton's Nationals games, the total is 1,196 games.

It makes sense that the original "face of the franchise" would want to stay in D.C. to finish an illustrious career. And finish that career with a shot - or two more - at a World Series crown.