Zimmerman gets $65,000 pay raise

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Talks between the Washington Nationals and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman for a long-term deal will continue, even as the team announced yesterday they renewed his contract for the 2008 season for $465,000, general manager Jim Bowden said — a $65,000 raise over last year’s pay.

Under major league rules, the organization can renew Zimmerman under their salary structure. But Bowden said they still intend to reach a long-term deal with Zimmerman, who becomes arbitration eligible in 2009.

“We are going to continue to negotiate a multiyear contract with Ryan,” Bowden said. “We have a tremendous working relationship on a contract with his agent, as well as a great working relationship with Ryan Zimmerman. Both sides clearly know where each other are intellectually, and we are going to continue going forward to get a multiyear deal done.

“I said this when we drafted him and I will say it now. We want him to start his career and finish his career as a National, and as I told him yesterday, I look forward to the day number 11 is hanging on the outfield wall as the first Washington National to be retired in 20 years. That is our goal and we are going to work toward it in our relationship.”

Last year Zimmerman finished with 24 home runs and 91 RBI. In 2006, the third baseman hit 47 doubles and 20 home runs, drove in 110 runs and batted .287.

Zimmerman, who is batting .429 this spring, had a two-run home run in yesterday’s 12-10 exhibition win over the Houston Astros. After the game, he said there was no tension between him and the club, despite the failure so far to negotiate a longer term contract.

“It’s just part of the system,” Zimmerman said. “I am not upset by any means. They have control for three years, and that’s how it goes. Many people before me have done it the same way. There are no hard feelings either way. I am not opposed to doing a deal,” he said. “It is just a matter of having it make sense for both sides. I’m sure they will still talk to my agent during the year, but as far as me being involved now, it is time for baseball, and my job is to help this team win and not worry about getting myself a contract.

“I want to be here for a long time. They know that. It is part of the business. If you go year-by-year or long term, if you play well, you’ll make money. It doesn’t matter.”

Team officials have said they would consider signing Zimmerman to a long-term contract similar to what other young stars have received early in their careers, using the signings of young players like Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki and Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore — in the six-year, $30 million range — to set the parameters.

Windy conditions

Winds gusted up to 40 mph throughout yesterday’s game at Osceola County Stadium and contributed to the 12-10 score.

Nationals starter Tim Redding allowed five runs on six hits and two walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch in three innings.

“The elements out there were a little different today than most games down here,” Redding said. “Even for us at home in our park, the wind is not this stiff. For me, it dries out my hands and dries out the ball, and it is hard to get a grip.”

Cups of coffee

The organization will call up two prospects — first baseman Chris Marrerro and outfielder Michael Burgess — today to give them some exposure to the big league camp just for one game, and they likely will see some playing time.

They had been playing in the Nationals minor league accelerated spring training camp.

Marrero, 19, was the team’s first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2006 draft.

Burgess, 19, was selected as a sandwich pick (No. 49 overall) in the draft in return for Jose Guillen signing as a free agent with the Mariners.

Young hits

First baseman Dmitri Young, sidelined most of spring training with stiffness in his lower back, got two at-bats yesterday in a minor league accelerated spring training game.

He was 0-for-2, Bowden said.