Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond Wrote Very Nice Goodbye Letters To Nationals Fans
Two very nice letters from two long-time Washington Nationals, both of whom are unlikely to be wearing the curly W next season.
Let’s start with Ian Desmond. As much as I killed him this year, the guy worked his ass off to live his dream. He battled through the minors and became a full time Washington National in 2010, and made the All Star team in 2012. It was unfortunate to see him have such a bad season this year, but I’m sure he’ll still sign a big fat contract somewhere else as Trea Turner prepares to be the Nats short stop of the future.
And then Jordan Zimmermann. 2 time All Star, 1 time no-hitter thrower, and holds many of the Nats pitching records including wins, starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts. He is going to demand 20 mil/year in the offseason, which the Nats simply can’t afford with the Scherzer deal and both Joe Ross and Lucas Giolito waiting in the wings to join the rotation full time. It was a shame Zimm didn’t get to leave the mound to a standing ovation during his last home start because Matt Williams was too dumb to realize what was happening, but when he returns to DC the Nats will for sure give him a nice welcome.
Joining Desmond and Zimm will likely also be oft-injured Denard Span, who I definitely do not want to see go. But with Michael A Taylor chomping at the bit and a team likely to overpay for the free agent Span, it will probably be the end for him here as well.
The Nats are getting younger but it doesn’t mean they are getting worse. Trea very well can step in next season and produce at a high level, Joe Ross had a span of games where he looked like a future All Star pitcher in the majors, even at the young age of 22, and Michael A Taylor did a fine job filling in all year for all the Nats injuries, despite being up in the majors a year too soon. Lots of optimism with the young guns heading into next season, let’s just hope they find the right manager to bring the best out of them so we don’t have to suffer through another disappointing season.
