The Washington National avoided arbitration with two key players by signing them to contracts on Friday.
Nationals All-Star right-hander Jordan Zimmermann agreed to a two-year, $24 million contract with the club, ESPN.com reported.
The deal buys out the final two years of arbitration eligibility for Zimmermann. He can become a free agent after the 2015 season.
The two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a longer extension, opting to settle for the two-year deal before the deadline to exchange arbitration figures.
Zimmermann, 27, went 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA last year. He finished seventh in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.
He was among 10 Nationals players eligible for arbitration. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg recently avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.975 million deal.
The Nationals also signed shortstop Ian Desmond to a two-year contract, CSNWashington.com reported. He will receive $6.5 million and 2014 and $11 million in 2015 and will become a free agent following the 2015 season.
Desmond, 28, hit .280 with 20 homers and 21 stolen bases in 1658 games for Washington last season.