There’s a wealth of it in the big leagues now — young guys rising before their time, emerging as the stars of tomorrow, today. Despite their stellar performances in their early 20s, they still have to wait through the MLB process before their hard work starts to pay off financially.
We have a handful of young stars here in DC, but noone doubts that Ryan Zimmerman’s future is bright. The 23 year old enters his third season this year. The Nationals first ever first-round draft pick, Zimmerman’s journey to the big leagues was quick. He spent only a short summer in Harrisburg. He earned runner-up status in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2006. The Nationals have used his face in countless promotions, marketing the young star as the face of the franchise and the future of the organization.
As such, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the organization refuses to reward Zimmeran with a competitive multi-year contract. Zimmerman’s too composed, too loyal and too stoic to criticize the team publicly, but you have to wonder if we’ll really be able to keep him around at the beginning of free agency when teams are offering top dollar. We can only hope his loyalty and enthusiasm about staying in DC lasts for a really long time.
“I really don’t have any feelings. Like I told you guys before, it’s a good relationship that I have here…I’m just happy to be here and I look forward to playing here for a long time.” — R. Zimmerman
His agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, acknowledged that the two sides were having difficulty reaching an agreement, but that the team had the right to renew automatically. We should know in coming days how it will turn out.
The kid that plays hard everyday, appears in every game, shows up at community events throughout the entire year, serves as a clubhouse leader and puts up numbers that lead the team deserves more from this organization.
In the past few days, other clubs have handled similiar situations with star young players. Notably, the talented youngsters are angry. Cole Hamels was recently renewed for 500,000 by the Phillies. Hamels said, “I felt like it wasn’t necessarily equal compensation for what I do and for what I can do.”
Up the road to Baltimore, Nick Markakis was equally frustrated.
His contract was renewed for 455,000. “That’s just how the Orioles feel. I don’t have much of a choice. I’m just going to have to deal with it.” Markakis led the Orioles with a .300 average last year and 23 homers, 112 RBIs and 18 steals. Here’s Olney’s take. Here’s Lemke’s.
Out in Milwaukee, Prince Fielder also went public with his frustration. His contract was renewed for 675,000. His 50 home runs last season were a first for such a young player.
Perhaps some of their concern comes from the nice contract the Mets offered David Wright in 2006. The 6-year extension was worth $55 million, with a $1.5 million signing bonus. At 25, Wright is actually being compensated for the numbers, community work and leadership he brings to the Mets organization. The contract has turned out pretty well for Wright and his team. If only we were as insightful.
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