Football
Associated Press 15y

Harris gets 2-year, $3 million deal from Nationals

WASHINGTON -- Outfielder Willie Harris agreed to a two-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals on Friday.

The Nationals also announced they did not tender a 2009 contract to right-hander Tim Redding, the only pitcher to win 10 games for the team last season.

Harris, one of Washington's few offensive bright spots in an 102-loss season, will receive $1.5 million in both years of the deal. He set career highs in 2008 with 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a .417 slugging percentage while playing five positions (left field, center field, second base, shortstop, third base) in a team-high 140 games.

The 30-year-old Harris is part of a glut of Nationals outfielders -- including Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Lastings Milledge, Wily Mo Pena and Josh Willingham -- leaving open the possibility that one or more could be dealt before the spring.

Redding, who was eligible for arbitration, went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA this past season. He led the team in wins, starts (33), strikeouts (120) and tied for the team lead with 182 innings.

The Nationals tendered contracts to four arbitration-eligible players: third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen, right-handed pitcher Shawn Hill and Willingham.

This will be the first year of arbitration for Zimmerman. He and the front office have held preliminary talks in the past about a long-term deal, but the sides haven't come close to an agreement.

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