Stephen Strasburg is eligible to opt-out of his current contract with the Nats after the postseason, so here’s why he would be a great fit with the San Diego Padres.
Stephen Strasburg just reached 250 strikeouts for the first time in his career on Thursday against Bryce Harper and the Phillies. The San Diego Padres could really use a bonified frontline starter like him going into next season.
Strasburg, who was mentored by Tony Gwynn at San Diego State University, has had one of his best seasons yet posting a 3.37 ERA with 17 wins in addition to logging 200 innings.
The Padres have been looking for an established frontline starter for a couple of years now, and Strasburg would fit well.
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He has endured injuries and shortened season due to innings limits just like the Padres young arms have this year like Chris Paddack. Strasburg would be able to mentor the young starters like MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino who would likely be on innings limits next season.
Another reason he fits in San Diego, as I mentioned, was because he has deep ties to the city.
When Strasburg was drafted #1 overall in the MLB Draft, he came out of SDSU. He was named pitcher of the year (2009), holds the school record in ERA (1.59) and strikeouts (375) in addition once striking out 23 of 27 batters in a game.
Padres fans would certainly enjoy having Strasburg start every fifth day in a San Diego uniform, as he would help the team win more games with longer starts, which would give Kirby Yates and the bullpen more rest.
He would also be happy to come to San Diego with one of the best infields in the game in addition to having additional run support headlined by leadoff man Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.
I believe Stephen Strasburg signing with the San Diego Padres would be beneficial for both himself and the organization.