Washington Nationals: 3 best current contracts, ranked

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch in the first inning during the spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

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Patrick Corbin was a key part of the Washington Nationals run to the World Series.

(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

3. Patrick Corbin 6-Years, $140M

General managers seek free agents in the offseason with one goal in mind, winning the World Series. Mike Rizzo accomplished that when he threw $140M at pitcher Patrick Corbin. Corbin became the left-handed compliment to Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and helped the Washington Nationals form a three-headed monster in the rotation.

In his first year with the team, Corbin matched a career high with 14 wins and finished in the top 10 in the league in hits allowed, strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, earned run average, and had a WAR of 5.6, sixth best amongst National League pitchers.

More importantly, Corbin was used on the mound during the playoffs as a reliever on days he didn’t start, bridging the gap from the other starting pitchers to the closer. He averaged 14 strikeouts per 9 innings and was one of the few arms manager Dave Martinez trusted out of the bullpen.

Rizzo accomplished his goal in the offseason by signing Corbin. His biggest competition was the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, and the extra year Rizzo was willing to give may have been the difference in landing the left hander.

This addition did well in paying for itself already and Corbin will be around for the next five years on a contract which is good for both team and player.

In the last year of his deal his yearly salary will jump to $35.4M, though if the Nats have added another World Series ring by then, no one will care.

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