Nationals Sign Ryan Zimmerman to $100 Million Deal

The Washington Nationals have inked third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to a six-year, $100 million extension according to ESPN's Jim Bowden and other sources.

The deal reportedly includes a no-trade clause and guarantees him eight years and $126 million with the Nationals.

Here is the tweet from Bowden:

"

Zimmerman deal with Nats is 6yr extension for 100m w/ complete NO TRADE CLAUSE...including 2 yrs of current deal now 8yrs 126m guaranteed

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) February 26, 2012"

Zimmerman had an off-year last season with the Nats, batting just .289 in 101 games with Washington while battling injuries throughout the team's 2011 campaign.

What Does It Mean?

The extension means that the Nationals are fully committed to Zimmerman at third base and believe that he can provide more than sub-.300 batting and 12 home runs in a season.

Zimmerman's new extension means he will be paid an average of $16.7 million per season, which is the most of any third baseman in the MLB behind only the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, who makes slightly over $27 million a year.

What Happens Next?

The Nationals finished just one game below .500 last season, but more than 21 games behind the 2011 NL East-champion Philadelphia Phillies. 

With so much money now invested in Zimmerman at third base, the Nats have clearly defined their No. 1 goal as becoming a World Series contender over the next decade. Said Zimmerman:

"

"All along, all I've wanted is to be able to stay with the Nationals, which I consider my hometown team, and help the franchise become a winner while also being compensated fairly, I'm from Virginia, I was drafted by the Nationals and I've seen this organization make great progress since I signed here. I want to see it through to the ultimate goal of winning a World Series."

"

Zimmerman is now under pressure to fire up his bat this coming spring and help get Washington off to a hot start. The Nationals were dead last in the NL East last season in runs scored.