The Washington Nationals and third baseman Anthony Rendon met before Tuesday’s game at Nationals Park to talk about a possible contract extension, according to Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN).
Rendon is in the last season of his contract with the Nationals, the team that drafted him out Rice in the first round in 2011. He made his debut with Washington on April 21, 2015.
The Nationals most likely would take a public-relations hit if they allowed Rendon to leave via free agency, a la Bryce Harper. Some top young players in the major leagues have recently signed long-term contracts, including third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies — for eight years and $260 million, according to ESPN.
Rendon was batting .400 with eight doubles, six homers, an OPS of 1.333 and 17 RBIs going into the series opener with the San Francisco Giants. The Houston native has a hit in 13 games in a row.
“He has been pretty locked in most of the time,” Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who is slated to start Wednesday, told The Washington Times. “He is just a professional hitter; he has a great plan up there. You have to be on your toes against them.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.