Washington Nationals: Extend Mike Rizzo soon

Washington Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo’s contract is up after 2018. His results deserve an extension at fair-market value.

The heart and soul of the Washington Nationals becomes a free agent at the end of 2018.

No, it is not Bryce Harper. Although he is the best slugger in franchise history, he is not the architect. That distinction belongs to Mike Rizzo, President of Baseball Operations.

When Rizzo arrived from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Nats were a cellar-dweller regular in the National League East. Yes, the team found success early after the move from Montreal, but Washington’s own identity remained elusive.

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Enter Rizzo.

Under his regime, Washington drafted Harper and Stephen Strasburg with the number one pick. Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner are homegrown superstars he selected. The lone player on the Nats Rizzo did not pick is Ryan Zimmerman. Four of the nine assumed 2018 Opening Day starters are Rizzo-drafted players. If Strasburg takes the hill, make it five.

From his drafting prowess to his ability to be creative in free agent contracts, Rizzo’s teams now own the NL East. Four times in six years, they won the division. Whatever happens in October, you cannot pin on him. Since 2012, Washington has carried a winning record.

You can cringe over the first-round exits. Sigh about four managers and Scott Boras’ special relationship with the team, but you cannot say Rizzo has not done his job. Anytime the general manager creates a roster capable of winning, pat him on the back.

Assuming he wants to stay, will the Lerner family pay him the going rate for a top-tier general manager?

Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees agreed on a five-year extension for $25 million. That $5 million per year is roughly what Theo Epstein gets with the Chicago Cubs. You get what you pay for.

Because of their record, and Washington being a beautiful metropolitan area, free agents will sign with the Nats. From Jayson Werth to Max Scherzer, big names choose DC.

Considering the paradox of a high payroll and limited resources, Rizzo’s creativity in making deals sets him apart. He is also a shrewd trader. Remember, he turned Blake Treinen and prospects into Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle.

This season promises to test Rizzo’s abilities. With high expectations on the field, he must decide on extensions for Harper and Daniel Murphy or prepare for their departure. Rendon’s play merits a long-term deal. At times, it is a thankless job.

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Yet, Rizzo has served as the bridge to success from the rougher days of the franchise. If anyone deserves to see the Nats mature into a championship team, it is him. This is one decision the Lerner’s cannot afford to be frugal with.