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The Nationals avoid arbitration with the first baseman/outfielder, signing him to a two-year contract extension.
The Washington Nationals announced on their official Twitter account Friday that they have signed first baseman Michael Morse to a multi-year contract extension to avoid arbitration. Length and terms of the new contract are not immediately available.
The multi-year element of this deal should certainly raise some eyebrows with the Nationals reportedly hot in pursuit of free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. Signing on for more than one more year of Morse gives Washington plenty of security at first base and will take significant resources, so it will be interesting to see how this news affects the talks between Fielder and Nationals management. Of course, Morse can play the outfield, too, so in the event that Fielder signs, there would be room for both the Nationals' starting lineup.
Morse had a breakout season with Washington in 2011, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 95 runs while posting a .303 batting average and .910 OPS. He's spent part of seven seasons in the Majors with the Seattle Mariners and Nationals, but 2011 was his first season of true duty as a regular.
For more on the Nationals, be sure to check out Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Washington Nationals blog.
Michael Morse Signs Two-Year Extension, According To Report
The Washington Nationals announced earlier on Friday that they'd signed first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse to a multi-year extension. Terms and length of the contract were not specified, but now, MLB.com's William Ladson is reporting the two sides' new deal is for two years. Terms are still not clear.
The reported deal would buy out both of Morse's remaining arbitration years, but none of his free agent years. He's still due to become a free agent after the 2013 season.
Washington is still reportedly looking to sign free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. What effect, if any, the signing of Morse will have on those negotiations remains to be seen, but at the very least, the deal gives the Nationals security at first base in the event it is unable to lure Fielder. If Fielder does sign, expect Morse to move to the outfield.
For more on the Nationals, be sure to check out Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Washington Nationals blog.
Jan 20 5:42p by Adam Bittner