MLB Free Agency: Six bold predictions for baseball’s top free agents

4. Stephen Strasburg stays with the Nationals

Why fix what’s not broken?

Stephen Strasburg is probably still celebrating the Washington Nationals’ first World Series title, where he was named MVP after a dominant October performance. However, once the smoke settles, Strasburg will begin looking for a new contract.

He is going to be a hot commodity following one of his best seasons in the majors. He won an NL-high 18 games, while also leading the league with 209.0 innings pitched. His durability and domination will make him the best starter on the market not named Gerrit Cole. At 30 years old, he appears to be in his prime, and will earn a lucrative, long term contract.

So, where will he go? The Yankees, Padres, and Phillies have all expressed interest in Strasburg’s services. However, the Padres have already said that the price is too high to pursue Strasburg, so that leaves three main suitors. The Yankees can outbid anybody, but are known to be more keen on using their resources for Cole. The Phillies can make an interesting run at Strasburg, but their main competition will be their division rival.

Strasburg has spent his entire career with the Nationals after being selected number one overall in 2009. He has immortalized himself with the organization after his postseason heroics, and the Nationals have made it clear that they want him to stay. They have the resources to re-sign him, and it is perfectly reasonable to believe that a reunion between Strasburg and the Nationals is imminent.

Contract Prediction: six years/$155 million