World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg opts out of deal with Nationals

[Auggie]

World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is opting out of his contract with the Washington Nationals, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Strasburg had four years and $100 million left on a deal he signed in 2016. He faced a Saturday deadline to opt out.

The 31-year-old enters free agency fresh off a regular season in which he posted a career-high 18 wins and led the National League with 209 innings pitched -- no small measure for a pitcher who has battled injury throughout his career.

SNIP

Opting out doesn't mean Strasburg won't return to Washington, which drafted him out of San Diego State in 2009. But he'll at least test the free-agent market, which will be highlighted pitching-wise by him and Gerrit Cole.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27993240/sources-world-series-mvp-stephen-strasburg-opts-deal-nationals

That remaining $100 million was guaranteed -- essentially $25 million a year!

[beachbumbob]

1. may or may not work out for him with his injury history. Many teams will have interest for sure

in he and Cole. Top tiered starting pitchers are a rarity and an expense

[dem4decades]

2. Heard a rumor he might return to California as an Angel.

Kind of rained on the Nats parade. At least he waited till the party was over.

[Auggie]

3. I'd like there to be some truth to that

Geography means it's not just about the money. How much more than $100 million (not counting what he's already earned) does anybody really, really need?

[JonLP24]

4. The same is true for Jerry Jones

MLB doesn't have a salary cap so players earn closer to market value for their services.

[Auggie]

5. Well, yeah, then there are douchebags like Jones and Trump

[Iggo]

6. Angels gonna field 25 pitchers if half the rumors are true.

[hughee99]

7. At 31, he knows he's only got one big contract left. He has 4 years left on his deal, but he'll be

looking for a longer deal. Becoming a free agent at 35 means he's not getting another big, long-term deal. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nats offer him a 5 or 6 year deal. Someone surely will. Even if it's not as much per year, it will be more than the $100 million guaranteed he has now. Hell, the Nats could offer him a 6 year deal at $25 million a year. It would only cost them $50 million more than they were already planning to pay, someone will top that, though.