Ryan Zimmerman

According to Bill Ladson, MLB Nats reporter, right now the sides are not very close on contract terms, but Ladson seems to believe a deal will get done.

The Nationals are trying to sign Zimmerman to a long-term deal, but the team doesn’t want to break the bank to do it. They want to sign Zimmerman to a contract similar to Troy Tulowitzki, who signed a six-year, $31 million deal with the Rockies.
Thankfully, both parties respect each other, so I would not be surprised if they can get a deal done soon.

Looking at Ryan Zimmerman, this kid we all know if the focal point, the centerpiece to what Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden are building here.  Thing is, by adding bats like Wily Mo Pena, Lastings Milledge, and Elijah Dukes [please assume they will all turn out like we believe], Zimmy becomes even more important, more potent, and a better player with bigger bats to help and to protect.

The one thing we don’t know is the mind set of the Nationals management, in terms of how much budget are they willing to eat in payroll.  Everyone knows the Lerner’s have a ton of money.  But that is not to say they will be free wheeling owners either.  There is a methodology in place here, a methodology on how to construct a franchise, how to maintain a franchise, and how to move a forward in building something that becomes consistent success, rather than the type of mess made across the Beltway, you know, that other team.  It’s a different model, one that can’t be questioned right now, because at least appearance wise, the model appears to be progressing each year.  Just take a look at where the minor league system was on the day Ted Lerner and family bought the Nationals.  Now look at where it is.  Take a look at the power in the lineup on the day the Lerner’s bought the franchise.  Now look at the potential they have developed.  Then, take a look at the dismal state of pitching when the Nationals were sold to the Lerner’s.  Now, look at the plethora of young prospects.  It’s a good model, the model is working.
But, Ryan Zimmerman is the centerpiece of that model and the Nationals management now needs to step up and show the fans, the franchise, and the players that the center piece of the model is important.