Rizzo: Recent extensions don't affect Rendon talks

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Despite the recent spate of major leaguers signing contract extensions over the last few weeks, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo insisted today he isn't feeling more pressure to try to lock up third baseman Anthony Rendon.

"I don't think that what other teams do affect our long-term strategies," Rizzo said. "We've got a plan in place for not only for this year but for the long term, and I think we'll follow that."

Rendon, who is eligible for free agency after this season, has expressed a desire to stay in Washington. The Nationals, in turn, have expressed a desire to retain the consistently excellent third baseman.

But contract talks between the two, which have continued this spring, have not proved fruitful to date. A source familiar with the negotiations described the two sides as "far apart."

This spring alone has seen Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Sale, Alex Bregman, Blake Snell, Justin Verlander and Luis Severino (among others) agree to long-term deals with their existing clubs, taking them off the open market in the coming offseasons.

Rizzo isn't surprised by this; he actually predicted there would be more such extensions signed this winter once it became clear the free agent market wasn't as robust as players and agents expected.

"I just think that players - the representatives and the players - are more in tune to what the economics of the game are now than they have ever been," Rizzo said. "These guys know what they are talking about. They know what the market looks like. And I think they are making good, prudent decisions for their own personal careers."

The Nationals haven't pulled off many of those type of extensions over the years. They did get Stephen Strasburg to sign a $175 million extension in May of his walk year. They also re-signed Ryan Zimmerman to a pair of long-term extensions earlier in his career.

Having now seen Bryce Harper sign a record-setting, $330 million deal with the Phillies, and having previously seen prominent, home-grown free agents like Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann go elsewhere, the Nationals must decide how determined they are to keep Rendon in D.C. for the long haul.

The 28-year-old enters his sixth full major league season having averaged 23 homers, 92 RBIs, 41 doubles and an .879 OPS over the last three seasons. He also has been a Gold Glove Award finalist the last three years, finishing behind Arenado on each occasion.

Combine those facts with the recent extensions signed by others, and Rendon might wind up the best free agent on next winter's open market.

That could be construed as detrimental to the Nationals' chances of convincing Rendon to sign a deal now, but Rizzo isn't thinking along those lines.

"I don't think so," he said. "I think there's going to be a point where we think a fair and equitable deal is on the table, and they'll come to the point where they think a deal is fair and equitable, and then you'll get a deal done. If not, I don't think that the prospective free agent pool next year will affect us either way."

In other news, Rizzo suggested utilityman Howie Kendrick is unlikely to open the season on the active roster, still needing more time to complete his rehab from a left hamstring strain.

Kendrick, who hurt himself running down the first base line March 5, has been taking batting practice and grounders and running in recent days, but he hasn't yet appeared in a game. Given how little time remains, the 35-year-old would be behind everyone else come Thursday's season opener.

"I never like to take somebody too early and get kind of in shape during the regular season in the big leagues," Rizzo said. "Because it is too difficult to catch up."

Outfielder Michael A. Taylor, who is rehabbing from left knee and hip sprains, continues to progress faster than expected but won't be ready for opening day.

Tony Sipp, meanwhile, was scheduled to make his first appearance of the spring today, throwing 15 pitches in a minor league game. The Nationals do believe the veteran left-hander will be able to get enough work in to make the 25-man roster.