Nats decline options on Janssen, McLouth

USA Today Sports ImagesThe Nationals declined to pick up contract options for reliever Casey Janssen and outfielder Nate McLouth on Monday, making both veterans free agents along with six others who officially hit the market on the day after the World Series ended.

Janssen and McLouth join right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, shortstop Ian Desmond, center fielder Denard Span, left-hander Matt Thornton and infielder Dan Uggla as new free agents.

The Nationals have until 5 p.m. Friday to make qualifying offers to the latter six. They are all but guaranteed to make the offer (a 1-year contract worth roughly $15.8 million) to Zimmermann and Desmond but must decide whether to do…