Nationals offer Anthony Rendon seven-year, $210 million deal: Report

Anthony Rendon is set to become a free agent after the season, but the Washington Nationals are making an effort to keep their third baseman. 

The Nationals offered Rendon a seven-year deal worth $210 million to $215 million in September, according to The Washington Post. 

The offer, worth less than the 10-year, $300 million deal presented to Bryce Harper last year, contains deferrals, similar to Max Scherzer’s seven-year, $210 million deal. Rendon’s deal would reportedly be paid off in full within seven years after the contract expired.

The Nationals’ offer is also less than third baseman Nolan Arenado’s eight-year, $260 million extension with the Colorado Rockies. Arenado agreed to the deal in February and was seen as a potential benchmark for Rendon’s next contract.

This season, Rendon has performed at an MVP-like level. The 29-year-old hit .319 with 34 home runs and 126 RBIs, all career-highs. He is considered to be a candidate for the National League MVP award alongside Los Angeles’ Cody Bellinger and Milwaukee’s Christian Yellich.

If Rendon hits the market, a number of teams are expected to be interested in his services.

Like Harper, Rendon is represented by agent Scott Boras.

The Nationals host the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild-card Tuesday at Nationals Park.