Gorzelanny, Clippard, Zimmermann re-sign The Nationals agreed to one-year contracts on Tuesday with starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Tom Gorzelanny and relief pitcher Tyler Clippard.
Those deals, coming one day after another one-year agreement with catcher Jesus Flores for $815,000, mean the players avoided Wednesday’s deadline before heading to arbitration with the club.
Zimmermann, a 25-year-old right-hander, is expected to anchor Washington’s starting rotation along with Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez. He posted a 3.18 ERA in 2011, his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. CBSSports.com reported that Zimmermann signed for $2.3 million. He earned $415,000 last season.
Gorzelanny, meanwhile, had a 4.03 ERA in 2011, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen. The 29-year-old lefty figures to hold a similar role this season. CBS reported his 2012 salary as $2.7 million — a raise from $2.1 million.
Clippard’s salary was $443,000 last year, but no word as of Tuesday evening on exact contract terms. The 26-year-old has become one of the sport’s top set-up pitchers since being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse for good in 2009. He has totaled 1711Ú3 innings over the last two years with an ERA of 3.07 in 2010 and then a sparkling 1.83 in 2011. His combined holds over those two years total 61. Clippard was selected to the National League All-Star team last summer.
The Nats still have until noon on Wednesday to agree to terms with left-handed pitcher John Lannan and first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse. Both players would have arbitration hearings next month prior to the opening of spring training if they do not sign. Both remain Washington property for next season. Lannan earned $2.75 million in 2011 and Morse earned $1.05 million.
Lannan, 27, had a sub-4.00 ERA in three of his last four seasons, including a career-low 3.70 ERA in 2011 in 33 starts. Morse hit .303 with 31 home runs and 95 RBI last season playing primarily at first base. He is expected to move to a corner outfield position this year. Morse finished with a .360 on-base percentage and a team-best .550 slugging percentage. He has 46 home runs in his last 788 at-bats.
