Washington Nationals v John Lannan: Ruling In Nats' Favor, Lefty To Make $5M In 2012.

As per a press release this morning, the arbitration panel who heard the Washington Nationals and 27-year-old left-hander John Lannan make their cases yesterday, ruled in favor of the team, meaning the fifth-year pro will make $5.0M in 2012 instead of the $5.7M he and his agent had asked for from the Nats. The hearing, the first of the year in Major League Baseball, took place yesterday in St. Petersburg, Florida. The "win" leaves the Nationals 6-2 so far in arbitration cases since the franchise relocated to the nation's capital. Lannan and the Nats avoided arbitration last season, agreeing on a 1-year/$2.75M dollar deal.

The left-hander was (10-13) last season, posting a 3.70 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 76 BB (3.70 BB/9) and 106 K's (5.17 K/9) in 33 starts and 184.2 IP. Over five MLB seasons, the '05 11th Round pick out of Long Beach, NY and Siena College is (38-51) with a career-4.00 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 282 walks (3.38 BB/9) and 393 K's (4.71 K/9) in 128 starts and 751.0 IP. Lannan was the only National to go to arbitration this year. Washington had seven players total (Lannan included) file for arbitration back on January 13th. The Nats signed Gio Gonzalez to a 5-year/$42M dollar extension, agreed on a one-year deals with catcher Jesus Flores, RHPs Jordan Zimmermann, Tyler Clippard and LHP Tom Gorzelanny and signed LF/1B Michael Morse to a 2-year/$10.5M extension to avoid going to arbitration.

The only remaining contract drama this winter involves 27-year-old '05 1st Round pick Ryan Zimmerman, who's rumored to be negotiating an extension which will keep the third baseman in the nation's capital...