Washington Nationals, Stephen Strasburg sign 7-year, $245M deal

The Hot Stove is burning at the Winter Meetings as the Washington Nationals and ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg have struck a 7-year, $245M deal.

Unlike the 2018-19 MLB offseason, 2019-20 is off to a hot start. Today, ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported that the Washington Nationals and ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg have come to terms on a 7-year, $245M deal.

Coincidentally, $245M over seven also happens to be the same offer the New York Yankees reportedly offered Gerrit Cole.

Also, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Nationals are deferring more than $80M of Strasburg’s deal. What’s more, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the deal includes a full no-trade clause.

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The deal at $35M AAV makes Strasburg the highest paid MLB pitcher in baseball history. This despite Strasburg having had Tommy John Surgery earlier in his career.

Strasburg is coming off arguably his best statistical MLB season. This year, Strasburg pitched to a 18-6 record, including a 3.32 ERA and 1.038 WHIP. His 18 wins and 209 IP were Nationals League highs this season.

Strasburg also earned points for helping to lead the Nationals win the World Series over the heavily favored Houston Astros this season. In five 2019 postseason starts, Strasburg went 5-0 with a 1.99 ERA. He struck out 47 batters over 36.1 IP.

The good news, this deal assures that Stephen Strasburg will finish out his career with the Nats, a dream come true for fans of the team.

Now, the Washington Nationals are left wondering how to fill the rest of their roster. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the team will not be able to retain both Strasburg and Anthony Rendon. This must mean that Rendon’s time in DC is finished.

The team does have more money to spend, if you could believe it. The question is, who do they target to play third base, second base, and fill out the rest of the bullpen.