It's not exactly the long-term deal some were expecting for 27-year-old Washington Nationals' right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, but according to a report by New York Post writer Joel Sherman this morning, the Nats and their arbitration-eligible starter have agreed on a new two-year deal that buys out the '07 2nd Round pick's final two years of arbitration eligibility:
#Nationals and Jordan Zimmermann reach 2-yr, $24M deal. Buys out last 2 yrs of arb. Gets $7.5 in '14,$16.5 in '15.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 17, 2014
Reports over the last few seasons have said that the Nationals and Zimmermann were discussing a long-term contract. Zimmermann avoided arbitration last winter, agreeing on a 1-year/$5.35M deal on February 15th following a (12-8) season in the nation's capital which saw the Auburndale, Wisconsin-born right-hander post a 2.94 ERA, a 3.51 FIP, 43 walks (1.98 BB/9) and 153 Ks (7.04 K/9) in 32 starts and 195 2/3 IP over which he was worth +3.4 fWAR.
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Zimmermann finished the 2013 campaign at +3.6 fWAR (up for the third straight season), going (19-9) in 32 starts and posting a 3.25 ERA and a 3.36 FIP in 213 1/3 IP in which he issued 40 walks (1.69 BB/9) and collected 161 Ks (6.79 K/9).
The Nationals' starter was one of seven remaining arbitration-eligible players after Ross Ohlendorf, Stephen Strasburg and Ross Detwiler avoided arbitration and signed one-year deals already this winter.