Non-Tender Deadline Approaches
Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Nationals have until midnight Monday December 2nd to make non-tender decisions on eight arbitration eligible Nationals players.
The players who must be given an arbitration offer or released to become free agents are:
Ross Ohlendorf was probably going to get an offer from the Nationals until today’s trade with the Detroit Tigers for Doug Fister. Unless the Nationals plan on keeping Ohlendorf in the bullpen as a reliever, he may be allowed to walk.
We may get a clue as to the health status of Ross Detwiler depending upon what the Nationals decide to do at the deadline. Since Detwiler went down with a herniated disc in his back in June last year, the silence about Ross’ condition has been deafening. Other than several reassuring statements that Ross is resting, or recovering, there has been no word on how Detwiler is doing or whether he will need surgery on his back. There has also been no update from the club as to whether Detwiler will be able to pitch in 2014. The signing of Fister may be a clue in that direction, but we will need to wait and see if the non-tender deadline gives us more information.
The rest of the players on the list should be no-brainers. If the rumors about Drew Storen being trade bait are true, the Nats will have to make an arbitration offer to him to keep him from being a free agent.
After the team makes tenders to their arbitration eligible players, the players and team have until January 17th to exchange offers.
Once Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmerman have been tendered by the club, it is possible that negotiations about long term extensions for these two players will begin in earnest.