Results tagged ‘ Ryan Zimmerman ’
Rival Q&A: Braves Center Fielder B.J. Upton
After eight years with the Rays, outfielder B.J. Upton signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Braves this past offseason. So far, Upton is off to a slow start, going 3-for-29 with just an RBI entering Friday’s action. However, his teammate, brother Justin Upton, is red hot, hitting .353 with a league-leading six home runs.
MLB.com caught up with B.J. on Friday to talk about the Braves, Justin and the Nationals.
MLB.com: How good are the Braves this year?
B.J. Upton: We can be very good. We have all the right pieces. We have the pitching, we have the bullpen. We have the lineup to do it. We have the bench players to do it. We have to keep doing what we are doing. The biggest thing for us: we are playing well, but we haven’t clicked on all cylinders yet.
MLB.com: How do you explain the fast start? The Braves lost only one game.
Upton: I don’t know. We are getting timely hits. Our pitching has been keeping us in ballgames. We are just hitting the ball when we need to right now. Obviously, we would like to do it a little bit more consistently, but it’s still early. We have a lot of season left.
MLB.com: How good is it to see your brother, Justin, get off to a hot start?
Upton: It’s something that is pretty cool to watch. Obviously, what happened during the offseason and the rumors that were rumbling around, it could have affected him. [Those rumors] haven’t affected him. For the most part, he has been carrying us. He has been doing pretty well right now.
MLB.com: How much has your presence helped him?
Upton: I don’t know. I can’t say he wouldn’t be doing this without me here. I’ve seen him do it in the past. … He is a strong-minded guy, he works hard and he strives for perfection. Obviously, you are not going to be perfect in this game. If you expect that out of yourself, you are going to get the results that you want.
MLB.com: What do you think of the Nationals? How much of a factor will they be in the National League East race?
Upton: They are a great team. Obviously, they showed it last year. They didn’t lose anybody and they have some guys back healthy. Like I said, they are a great ballclub and we know they are going to be around all season.
MLB.com: I know you are from Virginia. After you became a free agent, did you think about playing for the Nationals?
Upton: That was always a possibility. It didn’t work out that way. I’m an Atlanta Brave. I’m looking forward to playing baseball with these guys.
MLB.com: Did you ever think about playing on the same big-league team as Ryan Zimmerman?
Upton: We would like to do it. But sometimes, things don’t work out. We are always going to support each other. Maybe not as much in the series when we play each other. But we are always going to support each other. I wish him the best. We’ve always been good friends. We get together during the offseason as much as we can. I know he comes to Florida every once in a while. We get out and have some dinner. I’m always supporting him and he is always supporting me.
MLB.com: You spent most of your career with the Rays. Do you miss them?
Upton: Obviously, being with them for 10 years, there are some things that I miss, but it’s baseball. Obviously, there are some guys who stay with one franchise their entire careers. But I think to be at one place for 10 years is pretty good. I will always have a place in my heart for them and I’m always rooting for those guys because they gave me an opportunity to be where I am today. I wish them nothing but the best.
MLB.com: What do you miss about the city of Tampa?
Upton: I still live there during the offseason. I can’t really say I miss it because I’m there all the time. When I’m not in Atlanta, I’ll be in Tampa. The people and the city of Tampa, it’s a great place to live. They are friendly people, it’s a great place to start a family. For me, I like to play golf. It’s a great place to play golf. It such a great place to be. The weather is beautiful all year round. I feel comfortable there. I lived there the last eight years. Obviously home is Virginia, but if there is a home away from home, Tampa is it. I plan on settling there.
Nats’ Zimmerman intrigued by Cano, Jay Z, Van Wagenen
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was intrigued to learn that Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano hired Roc Nation, which was founded by rapper Jay-Z, and Creative Artists Agency to represent him during contract negotiations. Cano is a free agent after the 2013 season.
While he doesn’t know the specifics regarding the partnership between Roc Nation and CAA, Zimmerman believes Roc Nation could take CAA to another level.
“When you get a guy like [Jay-Z], who wants to get involved in baseball — he is obviously one of the icons of our generation for his music,” Zimmerman said. “I think he has become a very savvy and smart businessman. It will be interesting to see what happens and where it goes and how it goes. But it’s exciting to be part of something like that. I don’t know how involved I will be or anyone else will be. It’s definitely exciting and cool.”
According to published reports, agent Brodie Van Wagenen will be the lead man when it comes to contract negotiations. Van Wagenen was the person who negotiated Zimmerman’s six-year, $100 million extension in 2012. Zimmerman calls Van Wagenen “a member of the family.”
“I’ve known Brodie for almost 10 years now. Brodie has always taken care of me and my family, just like he said he would. It’s hard to find that sometimes,” Zimmerman said. “He does his job, he does what he supposed to do. He is very professional. We have known each other for so long. It’s a different relationship than most people have with their agents.”
Asked if Van Wagenen will negotiate a lucrative deal for Cano, Zimmerman said, “I think Cano will get the deal that Cano wants. It’s pretty easy to get the money and the contract for a player like that. At the end of the day, that’s what happens. If you are a good player, you are going to get a good contract. Obviously, Robbie is one of the best in the game.”
Cano is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, hitting .313 with 33 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Yankees last year.
Wind at Wrigley hurts Nats’ Zimmerman
The wind was blowing in and that didn’t help the Nationals during their 2-1 victory over the Cubs. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, for example, likely missed out on two homers in the game.
In the first inning, with runners on first and second, Zimmerman hit a ball that appeared to be going over the center-field wall, but it was caught near the warning track.
In the sixth inning, Zimmerman led off and hit what looked like a solo homer over the left-field wall, but it was caught on the warning track by Alfonso Soriano.
“I had some good at-bats today. … But hopefully, I’ll get some wind-blown homers the other way — maybe,” Zimmerman said. “You can never look at things like that. The truth is they weren’t homers, but more importantly, we won.”
[Update] Nats, Zimmerman agree to contract extension
The Nationals and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman have agreed to terms on six-year $100 million extension with a full no-trade clause. There is also a club option for $18 million. A press conference is expected to be held later today at Space Coast Stadium.
Zimmerman is one of six players –Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Braun 2020, Matt Kemp are the others — signed through 2019.
The team had until the end of Saturday to get a deal done with Zimmerman, who hinted on Friday afternoon that he wanted a no-trade clause in his contract. Zimmerman has two years left on his current deal worth $26 million.
“It’s a relief. It’s a lot of stuff to work out. It’s a big commitment. Things like that don’t get done quickly,” Zimmerman said before having his press conference. “Both sides worked tirelessly to get this stuff done. Now, we don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
On Saturday night, general manager Mike Rizzo said there were no major stumbling blocks to complete a deal.
“We don’t have a deal done yet, but we have made significant progress,” Rizzo said Saturday. “We feel good about it and optimistic that we can reach an agreement, but there are some small details that we have to iron out through tonight and tomorrow.
“Hopefully, tomorrow, [by] the time we see [members of the media], we’ll have something more concrete to announce. But we feel good and optimistic that Zim is going to be a Washington National for a very, very long time.”
Zimmerman is considered the face of the franchise. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and became the most popular player in franchise history. In six years, he has won two silver slugger awards, a gold glove and made one All-Star appearance.
“Zim has been our centerpiece since he came up to the big leagues. He was our top prospect,” reliever Tyler Clippard said. “And when I got here, he was the man. I think it’s important to an organization to show loyalty to a guy that has been loyal to them and has done so many things for the organization on and off the field. It’s just says a lot about what kind management we have and the direction that we are going.”
Said Shortstop Ian Desmond, “It’s just another indication that organization is moving in the right direction. … To see Zim happy at home and not have to work about that anymore, it’s going to be nice. It’s good that the deal got done. It’s kind of a good faith-type thing. I think it would have gotten ugly if the deal didn’t get done. I’m happy for him. We definitely need him.”
Zimmerman originally had a self-imposed deadline of 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday. Zimmerman said he didn’t want to talk about his contract after that day, for he didn’t want to become a distraction to the team.
Around 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Zimmerman told the media that his agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, had come up with a creative solution to bridge the gap between the two sides. Zimmerman then said he wanted the deal to be done by the end of Saturday.
“Both sides are working to try to get over the last … couple of hurdles,” Zimmerman said. “We are both trying to be creative. It will be either yes or no, today. We’ll have closure either way. It’s something to ensure me that I will be here because that’s the reason I’m signing the deal. That’s basically the only thing left.
“Like I said all along, we can concentrate on baseball and not have you guys [the media] worry about it anymore and — more importantly — my teammates and myself.”
Van Wagenen was seen talking to Rizzo at the Nationals’ Spring Training complex on Wednesday. The two sides also talked Thursday and Friday without coming close to a deal.
Zimmerman is coming off an injury-plagued 2011 season in which he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs across 101 games. He missed significant time because of an abdominal injury.
Van Wagenen and the Nationals have been in serious discussions about an extension for Zimmerman since the Winter Meetings last December.
“We have made significant progress on an extension for Ryan that would ensure he plays for the Nationals for a long time, which has always been Ryan’s goal,” Van Wagenen said in a statement. “We are working on a structure that will allow the team to continue to add talent and establish a winner which is another goal of Ryan’s.
“While there are still important aspects to work through, we bridged multiple important gaps on many major parts of a contract. Nothing is done until it is done, but both sides are optimistic that an agreement can be reached and Ryan can focus his energies on preparing with his teammates for the season.”
Nationals, Zimmerman still talking contract extension
The Nationals are still trying to reach an agreement with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on a contract extension. Zimmerman had a self imposed deadline of 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday to get a deal done.
However, the team now has until the end of the day to get a deal done with Zimmerman, who hinted once again that he wants a no-trade clause in his contract. Zimmerman has two years left on his current contract.
“We’ve gone back and we’ve given them one other creative solution to bridge this gap,” Zimmerman said. “Today is the day, Saturday. It’s either going to get done or it’s not going to get done. Both sides are working to try to get over the last … couple of hurdles. We are both trying to be creative. It will be either yes or no, today. We’ll have closure either way.
“It’s something to ensure me that I will be here because that’s the reason I’m signing the deal. That’s basically the only thing left.”
Zimmerman said he doesn’t want to talk about his contract after Saturday because he doesn’t want to become a distraction to the team.
“Like I said all along, we can concentrate on baseball and not have you guys [the media] worry about it anymore and — more importantly – my teammates and myself,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman’s agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, was seen talking to general manager Mike Rizzo at the Nationals’ Spring Training complex on Wednesday. The two sides also talked Thursday and Friday without coming close to a deal.
Zimmerman is coming off an injury-plagued 2011 season in which he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs across 101 games. He missed significant time because of an abdominal injury.
Van Wagenen and the Nationals have been in serious discussions about an extension for Zimmerman since the Winter Meetings last December.
“We are still working toward an agreement,” Rizzo said. “We don’t have an agreement at this time. We’ve come a long way and bridged a big gap from the beginning [of the negotiations] to where we are currently, but we are not there yet. This is a very complicated, lucrative contract that we are discussing. We are not quite at the finish line yet. I’m still hopeful that we could come to an agreement, but we are not there yet.”
Nats’ Zimmerman wants no-trade clause
Although he has two years left on his current contract, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hinted that he would like a no-trade clause and would like to spend the rest of his career with the Nationals.
Zimmerman spoke to general manager Mike Rizzo on Friday, but the conversation was about Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, who had his 50-game suspension overturned on Thursday. The Nationals have until Saturday morning to get a deal done with their third baseman. Zimmerman said he doesn’t want to discuss a new deal after that because he doesn’t want to become a distraction to the team.
Asked he felt he would get a deal done by Saturday morning, Zimmerman said, “There are still things that need to be worked on both side. We need to do some stuff, they need to do some stuff. We’ll see. … I think we have come a long way from back where we started, so you never know.”
Zimmerman’s agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, was seen at the Nationals’ Spring Training complex on Wednesday talking to Rizzo. The two sides also met Thursday afternoon without coming close to a deal.
“I’m the same like I was before,” said Zimmerman, who was asked Friday morning if he was close to an extension.
Van Wagenen left Viera on Thursday night. However, there is still a 24-hour window to get a deal done. If not, look for Zimmerman to play out the rest of his current contract. Zimmerman is coming off an injury-plagued season, hitting .289 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs in 101 games. Zimmerman missed significant time because of an abdominal injury.
“The big things have to be taken care of: The money, that kind of stuff, the big part of the contract,” Zimmerman said. “There are obviously little things and language that take a little bit longer to be taken care of. But if we can get most of the big things done by Saturday — I don’t have to sign the contract by Saturday. We have to have the pressing issues … that need to be done by Saturday.
“The point of me signing this deal is to be here, not to sign a deal that is team friendly, to have it with another team. That’s the whole point of the deal.”
Nats’ Rizzo hoping to sign Zimmerman to extension
Although Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman doesn’t want to talk about a contract extension after Friday, it will not stop general manager Mike Rizzo from talking to Zimmerman’s agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, about a new deal.
“It won’t stop me from talking,” Rizzo said.
Van Wagenen was seen at the Nationals’ Spring Training complex on Wednesday talking to Rizzo. It’s not known how much progress has been made when it comes to Zimmerman’s contract. Zimmerman has two years left on his current deal.
Van Wagenen is expected to leave Viera, Fla., on Thursday night.
Asked Thursday morning if he was confident that he could get a deal done with Zimmerman, Rizzo said, “I don’t want to gauge my feelings on it. We are working extremely hard at it. … I’m hopeful. … [If we sign him to an extension], it would take something off our plate for the future. We have Ryan for two years. It would put a punctuation on Zim, at least, knowing that he would be with us for the long term.”
Upton wants to stay with Rays, but wouldn’t mind playing with Zimmerman
Center fielder B.J. Upton told Craig Heist of WTOP in Washington that he would love to stay with the Rays, but would not be surprised if he was traded after the season.
Upton also said that he wouldn’t mind playing close to home and with his childhood friend, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The two grew up together playing Little League Baseball in Virginia.
“I would love to be [in Tampa],” Upton said. “But I can’t sit here and say there is not a possibility that I could be gone. Like I said, I love this organization. They have given me the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. They are obviously the team that drafted me. I would love to be here.
“If I’m not, playing in Washington would kind of be playing close to home. I just want to play anywhere. … Since you brought up Washington, it would be kind of cool to play close to home and definitely play with the guy in Ryan Zimmerman that I played with growing up. That would be kind of a cool thing. I’ve known him for a long time. … To be on the team with him and playing in the division [against Mets third baseman] David Wright, who I also grew up with, that would be a cool thing, but right now, my heart is with the Rays.”
Zimmerman made it known in late July that he would love to play with his Upton. There has been speculation for weeks that the Nationals have been interested in the right-handed-hitting Upton.
Back in July, Zimmerman said he did not talk to Upton about the possibility of playing close to home. During the offseason, however, Upton sometimes told Zimmerman how lucky he is to play close to home.
“It would be different and I think it would be fun, but when it comes down to it, the most important thing is to get guys who can help us win,” Zimmerman said. “B.J. is a very talented player. I think a lot of people still think he is going to improve a lot. He has all the tools. He is one of those guys who can run, throw and hit for power. He is a very gifted athlete.”
Teammates impressed with Strasburg
Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg pitched five shutout innings in a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers at Nationals Park on Tuesday night. His outing came a year and three days after he had Tommy John surgery.
His teammates came away impressed with what they saw. Wilson Ramos caught Strasburg for the first time and Ramos said they were on the same page throughout the game.
“He was unbelievable — his pitches. Everything was working down in the zone,” Ramos said. “We were on the same page. He shook me off only two or three times. I tried to be on the same page with him and we were.”
Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman noticed that Strasburg wasn’t throwing his curveball as much he did in the past.
“When you have a fastball like him, you can throw just fastballs,” Zimmerman said. “He is a talent. That surgery — it’s not like it’s career threatening anymore. If you put the time in and work hard like him, you have a real good chance to come back.”
The way Strasburg was pitching, shortstop Ian Desmond said he never would have known that Strasburg had Tommy John surgery.
“It looked like he didn’t skip a beat,” Desmond said. “Last year, when he got hurt, he did an interview and he said he was going to come back stronger and smarter. … He looked like he did.
“To be able to comeback with the adrenalin, with the media, with everything else and be able to hone in on the strike zone and do your job with reliability — unbelievable.”
Nats’ Espinosa getting pitches to hit
Danny Espinosa’s batting average continues to climb. Since being put in the second spot in the batting order during the second game of the doubleheader against the Pirates on Saturday, Espinosa is 6-for-15 [.400] and has seen his batting average go up to .247.
According to Espinosa the reason for his success of late is because he is hitting in front of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Espinosa said that that he is getting a lot of good pitches to hit.
“Obviously, I have great protection hitting in front of Zim,” Espinosa said “So they probably don’t want me driving the ball. I’m hitting good pitches with me hitting in front of him.”
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