The Nationals have signed outfielder Willie Harris to a two-year, $3 million extension, but they've elected not to tender a contract to right-hander Tim Redding.

All MLB clubs face a midnight deadline tonight to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. The Nats have six players who fall into that category: Harris (who is now signed through 2010), Ryan Zimmerman, Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham and Shawn Hill (all who will return in 2009) and Redding (who now becomes a free agent).

Harris, who made $800,000 last season while performing well for the Nats in a variety of roles, will earn $1.5 million each of the next two years.

Redding, whose name came up in trade discussions with the Rockies this week at the winter meetings, is now free to sign with anyone he chooses. Technically, he could still return to Washington. He just won't go to arbitration with the Nats.

• 
• Comment