Clock Doesn’t Strike Midnight on Strasburg and Nationals
After demanding a signing bonus reaching $30 million, the Washington Nationals and Steven Strasburg finally reached a deal just before the midnight deadline. To many, it seemed the two parties wouldn’t be able to reach a deal but according to ESPN’s Pedro Gomez, the last place Nationals and Strasburg reached a deal at the deadline including a $15 million dollar signing bonus.
For a rookie in Major League Baseball, a deal this large is supernatural but with Strasburg’s stuff the amount of money fits just perfect. Leading Division I pitchers with a 1.32 ERA in 197 strikeouts in a 13-1 season, the Washington stuff will be much improved as Strasburg will only help a team where the majority of the opening day staff has been either released or traded. The Nationals are in position for next year’s number one pick, who most assume will be Bryce Harper, the 16 year old Sports Illustrated wunderkid.
With these two, Washington should be set in the near future, with young stars including Ryan Zimmerman, John Lannan and Josh Willingham. Losing Jordan Zimmerman last week to shoulder surgery, I expect Strasburg to be up on the big league squad by September, something that has rarely ever been done.
