Nats agree with Harris, opt to let Redding go

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By Mark Zuckerman

The Washington Nationals signed utilityman Willie Harris to a two-year extension Friday and elected to cut ties with right-hander Tim Redding before the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.

Unable to consummate a proposed trade with the Rockies that would have sent Redding to Colorado in exchange for outfielder Willy Taveras and a minor leaguer, the Nationals decided to "non-tender" the 30-year-old. Before the deadline at midnight Saturday, they did tender contracts to their four other arbitration-eligible players: third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, outfielder Josh Willingham and pitchers Scott Olsen and Shawn Hill.

Redding led the staff with 10 wins and 182 innings last season, but he was due to earn a sizable raise from his $1 million salary. Considering his struggles after the All-Star break (3-8, 6.82 ERA) and the emergence of a couple of younger starters, Redding, who had toe surgery last month, realized he was expendable.

"I'm a guy who was going to make $3 [million] to $4 million," he said. "They can pay all five guys in the rotation for only a little more than they'd have to pay for me. So there was always a chance I thought this could happen."

General manager Jim Bowden spent time at this week's winter meetings in Las Vegas trying to strike a deal with the Rockies, but the sides couldn't finalize anything. Redding is now a free agent and may sign with any club, including the Nationals. He said he's open to returning.

"I'm not shutting the door on anybody," he said.

Harris became an indispensable member of the Washington roster last season, when he did everything the club asked of him. The 30-year-old played five positions and set career highs with 13 home runs and 43 RBI.

Pegged to continue to serve as a utilityman, Harris will earn $1.5 million each of the next two years. This is the first multiyear contract of his career.

"I tell you what, for me personally this was a dream come true," he said. "This is a great organization. I love the way things are shaping up for me."

The four other players who were tendered contracts - all of them have between three and six years of service time - can come to terms on their own with the Nationals or go through arbitration. Salary figures will be exchanged Jan. 19-20, with all arbitration hearings taking place in February in Phoenix.

Zimmerman presents the most interesting case. This is the first time he's been eligible for arbitration; he stands to make anywhere from four to seven times his $465,000 salary from last season.

Both the Nationals and Zimmerman have expressed interest in signing a long-term deal, but they haven't come close to agreeing on terms. After a difficult season in which he missed two months with a shoulder injury, the 24-year-old is more likely to go through the arbitration process than sign a long-term deal at a decreased price.