Washington Nationals make Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister available

Washington Nationals pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister have been made available by the team, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The team is not actively shopping either player.

Zimmermann, who pitched a no-hitter for Washington in the last regular season game this past year has been a sought-after trade target in recent days. Reports indicated that the Chicago Cubs were in serious talks to acquire the young ace, but those proved to be false rumors. Moving him would be a considerable option for the Nationals considering the salary he’s set to earn this next season and the fact that he’s one year away from reaching free agency. He’s due to be paid $16.5 million in 2015, the last year of a two year deal that was worth $24 million. The two-time All Star has averaged over 200 innings pitched over the last three seasons.

At age 28, should the Cubs or any other potential suitors acquire him then they’d likely be interested in seeing if they could get a contract extension completed to keep Zimmermann for the long term. Since the 2012 season, with a minimum of 500 IP, Zimmermann is fifth in ERA+ behind Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto, Chris Sale, and Felix Hernandez. Zimmermann is right up there with the game’s best. He went 14-5 this past year, with 182 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.66.

Fister’s name could also come up in talks, as Nightengale notes. Fister – who the Nationals acquired last winter from the Detroit Tigers for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray – is in a similar boat to Zimmermann, facing free agency next winter. He was 16-6 this past season, with 98 strikeouts and a 2.41 ERA.

Washington insists this would not be a salary dump. The team will consider moving either player if they can get equal value in return. Neither is guaranteed to see a contract extension from the Nationals. The team’s budget is limited, considering both Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper will need to be re-signed in the coming years. The team will also need to address contract situations for Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard, and Denard Span next winter.

With upcoming options like Lucas Giolito and A.J. Cole within the farm system and options to still maintain a strong rotation heading into the coming season, the Nationals can still win without one of these two right-handers in the nation’s capital.