Craig Heist, wtop.com
Viera, Fla. – Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo and Ryan Zimmerman’s agent Brodie Van Waganen were continuing to negotiate past Zimmerman’s deadline of 10 a.m. Saturday morning trying to get a long-term deal done.
“We have given them one other creative solution trying to bridge this gap,” Zimmerman said.
That gap is believed to involve a no trade clause.
“It’s something creative to ensure me that I will be here because that’s the reason I’m signing the deal here, that’s basically the only thing left,” he said.
Zimmerman still has two years left on his current 5-year, $45 million deal. He is due to make $12 million this year and $14 million next year. He has said all along he doesn’t want the negotiations to drag out.
“Today is the day, Saturday, its either going to get done or it’s not going to get done,” he said. ” I would really rather not talk about it anymore today because I don’t think it’s fair. Both sides are working to get over the last couple little hurdles.”
Rizzo indicated later that both sides continue to have dialogue and want a solution as soon as possible.
“We are still working towards an agreement,” he said. “We have come a long way and bridged a big gap from the beginning of this to where we are currently, but we’re not there yet.”
Rizzo said the contract being discussed is both “complicated” yet “lucrative.” When asked if Zimmerman’s deadline was the same as his, Rizzo said he will keep working at it.
“If we can’t come to an agreement by the end of today or whatever the deadline is, I am certainly going to continue to discuss the contract because I want to sign Ryan Zimmerman,” he said.
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