Jordan Zimmermann reportedly in "serious talks" with Detroit Tigers

After what was likely his last start for the Washington Nationals who selected him in the second round of the 2007 Draft, developed him, oversaw his recovery from Tommy John surgery and watched him turn into one of the more reliable starters in the majors, Jordan Zimmermann was asked to sum up his time in the nation's capital.

Zimmermann talked about the workmanlike approach he took to the mound in every start he made with the Nats.

"I feel like I took the ball every time they asked and did what I could," Zimmermann said.

"Some days I didn't have it. Some days I was good -- and I'm not saying this is my last start. You don't know what's going to happen this offseason, so we'll see what happens."

Asked directly if he thought he would be back with the Nationals in 2016, Zimmermann said then that he didn't know.

"We'll see what this offseason brings. I enjoyed my time here, so we'll see after this season."

The Nationals made a qualifying offer to the 29-year-old, seven-year veteran who was (70-50) in 178 starts for Washington overall, with a 3.32 ERA, a 3.40 FIP, 1.82 BB/9 and 7.43 K/9 in 1,904 innings between 2009-2015, but Zimmermann rejected the 1-year/$15.8M offer and opted to test the free agent market.

According to a report by FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal late on Saturday night, the Auburndale, Wisconsin-born, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point-educated right-hander is involved in serious discussions with the Detroit Tigers.

"The Detroit Tigers are in discussions with free-agent starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann," Morosi wrote, citing "major-league sources", with, "... multiple people saying those talks have become serious."

"Recently, a number of team executives and player agents said they believed Zimmermann would sign for a guarantee of $100 million or more," Morosi added, which would make him the first post-Tommy John starter to "receive a nine-figure contract."

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Photo © Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports

Zimmermann leaves the Nationals, assuming he does at this point, as Washington's All-Time (2005-present) leader in wins (70), innings pitched (1094.0), strikeouts (903) and starts (178).

He also tossed the first no-hitter in Nats' history (again, 2005-present) and he hit the free agent market as one of only four major league starters to throw 190 innings or more and make 32 starts in each of the last four seasons (2012-2015).

MLB.com's Jason Beck has since confirmed that the Tigers and Zimmermann are discussing a deal as well, writing early Sunday morning that a "baseball source confirmed the two sides are in talks," about a long-term contract, "... though no deal is believed to have been finalized."