Washington Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann reunion could be in the works
After five disastrous years with the Detroit Tigers, Jordan Zimmermann hits free agency for the first time since leaving Washington. Could there be a reunion in the works?
If Jordan Zimmermann could turn back the clock to the offseason of the 2015 season, would he treat free agency differently?
Sure, he has $110M in his pocket now, which he didn’t have back then, but he also has had to endure five years of pain and misery.
Zimmermann spent seven years in the majors with the Washington Nationals, before electing for free agency. He was an All-Star (twice in fact) who garnered Cy Young Award consideration. In 2013 he lead the National League with 19 wins and in 2014 he had an earned run average of 2.66.
JZimm has a no-hitter on his resume, thrown on the last day of the season in 2014 and during his final four years with the Nationals, he didn’t miss a start. He was that durable.
After going 70-50 with a 3.32 earned run average during his time with the Nationals, Zimmermann hit the open market. The Nationals were only one year into Max Scherzer’s $191.4M deal and still owed Jayson Werth $42M on the seven year contract they gave him.
The budget just wouldn’t allow room to bring back Zimmermann, and off he went. Five years later, Zimmermann hits free agency again and comes with a cheaper price tag.
Should the two get together for a reunion tour?
Pros to signing Jordan Zimmermann
The Nationals need a starting pitcher for the backend of the rotation. Several names have been thrown out there as potential fits, so let us explore Jordan Zimmermann as an option.
During his final four years with the Nationals, Zimmermann made 129 starts and won 58 games. Yes, it has been a long time since he has put forth such positive production. Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs, or maybe getting back to the friendly confines of Nationals Park would cure what ails him. Maybe getting back to the National League would suit him better.
Zimmermann pitched a handful of years with Stephen Strasburg and overlapped with Max Scherzer one year. Maybe the familiarity and camaraderie is what he needs to loosen him up and get him back in the winning ways.
Maybe being on a winning team will relieve some of the pressure for Zimmermann. During his time in Detroit, the Tigers had just one winning season (the only season Zim had more wins than losses as well). During his five years away, the Nationals had a winning record four years and made the playoffs three times.
While the players the Nationals are projected to sign are estimated to make something in the $8M-$10M per, range, Zimmermann can more than likely be had for a lot cheaper.
For his career, Zimmermann walks fewer than two hitters per nine innings. This is better than the career numbers of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin.
If fans are allowed back in the stands, having a home grown kid (drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft) back in town could help sell a few tickets. Who wouldn’t want to see and old friend pitch and reminisce about the good times Zimmermann had his first time around.
Cons to signing Jordan Zimmermann
One look at Zimmermann’s statistics while he was pitching for the Detroit Tigers and I say to his agent, “good luck selling this guy to anyone”.
It has been four years since Zimmermann started more than 25 games in a year. It’s been five seasons since his last winning record. His 5.63 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over the past five years scream out “beware”, to potential employers.
In 2019 Zimmermann was 1-13 with a 6.91 ERA and in 2020 he pitched in just three games. His time in Detroit was marred by injury and ineffectiveness.
The Nationals fielded the oldest roster in baseball this past year and had more losses than all but two National League teams. Zimmermann turns 35 next year and has labored through most of his innings the past couple of years.
Washington fans remember the good times JZimm had on the team. The no-hitter. The 8.2 masterful innings pitched against the San Francisco Giants in the 2014 NLDS. The All-Star campaign of 2013 where he put up a league best 19 wins. Why tarnish those memories by running him out to get lit up every fifth day?
Do the Nationals dare float Zimmermann a low ball offer which insults a guy who gave the organization nine years of his baseball life, many in the prime of his career?
The Rotation
If the season started today the Nationals would run Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin to the mound comfortably. Joe Ross presumably has a spot in the rotation as well. Erick Fedde and Austin Voth auditioned for an extended stay, and failed to impress.
While there are a lot of arms in the minor leagues (Nationals top ten prospects are all pitchers), there isn’t anyone ready for the rotation to begin next year.
Wil Crowe and Seth Romero both saw limited action and showed they need more time to develop.
The Nationals are expected to sign a pitcher who can slide into the four spot in the rotation. Names like Corey Kluber, Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, and Jon Lester have been thrown out already. Ray was recently re-signed by the Blue Jays, taking him out of the running.
Jordan Zimmermann doesn’t make the team drastically better. There are a handful of pitchers out there in free agency who are in the same boat he is, however. Whether they are reclamation projects, past their prime, or coming off an injury, the list of mediocre pitchers is lengthy this year.
Next. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Nationals free agency. dark
Needing to address the pitching staff, the Nationals are bound to bring in a couple arms. I wouldn’t be surprised, or opposed, if Jordan Zimmermann was one of them.