Prince Fielder chooses Detroit Tigers over Washington Nationals

“I wanted [Fielder] on our team as much as all the other 29 teams wanted him. The most important message is, hopefully this doesn’t overshadow all the other good things they’ve done this winter.

“To be involved, and to be one of these clubs players are considering, is a positive thing for our organization. The fact that top-tier free agents are heavily considering us is a huge step forward for us.”

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Free agent first baseman Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers agreed Tuesday on a nine-year, $214 million contract that fills the AL Central champions' need for a power hitter, a person familiar with the deal said. (Jan. 24)

In the end, although Johnson was not directly involved in any negotiations, he believes the Nationals’ interest in Fielder may have been overstated.

“I think a lot of it was Boras playing everybody,” Johnson said. “There were a lot of teams — and I think we’re one of them — that never made an offer. I could be wrong. It’s over. I’m happy it’s over. I like to project what we’re having for spring training. I hope he’s happy. We’ve got enough to do the job. We just have to go do it.”

The Nationals do not have to worry about LaRoche, with his carefree temperament, having his feelings hurt by the pursuit of Fielder.

“I can’t say I cared about it,” LaRoche said. “I didn’t lose any sleep over it. It would have obviously been a disappointment. I think everybody knows we’re turning the corner right now, and I wanted to be a part of that.

“I understand why stuff like that happens. I wouldn’t have held any grudges. I would have totally understood the business decision. Then again, it’s fixing to get really exciting in D.C., and I want to be a part of it.”

With less than a month before pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the Nationals’ next order of business may be signing Zimmerman to an extension that keeps him in Washington for the rest of his career. Zimmerman reiterated his desire to stay in Washington, saying he would be open to structuring a contract that, while fair in price, would allow the Nationals to pursue future free agents.

“I don’t think [the pursuit of Fielder] really affects me one way or another,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve kind of talked the whole time and agreed both sides would be creative. We want to do a deal so it helps me and the team at the same time, so they can go out and sign guys like Prince Fielder.

“The reason I want to be here, I’ve been here for the bad times, and I hope to be here for the good times. If they’re going to have a couple guys that are going to make a ton of money and make it so they can’t sign other guys, that’s not what I want.”

Zimmerman has said previously he would almost certainly test free agency if he reached spring training of 2013, his final season under contract, without agreeing on an extension with the Nationals. The current window for negotiating, though, could close soon. Zimmerman said he prefers to table any talks once spring training begins, not wanting his contract status to become a distraction.

“I think it’s unfair to my teammates for that to garner any attention during the season,” Zimmerman said. “Once spring training comes, it’s time for us to play baseball. If there’s articles, or if there’s people asking me every day how much money I want to make, that’s rather unfair to the other guys around me who are working just as hard to achieve that goal of winning. It’s got to get done by spring training.”