Stephen Strasburg

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is battling an illness and was scratched from Wednesday's start as a result. However, he's ready to make his return to the mound. 

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VIERA, Fla. — Stephen Strasburg already knew this year was going to be different. New manager. New expectations. Free agent at year's end.

But a clue as to how strange things could get arrived the other day during a conversation with the new skipper, Dusty Baker.

The Washington Nationals roll into the 2016 season focused on a single question: Can they zap the memory of last year's embarrassing implosion and claw back to the postseason?

The Washington Nationals are built on the strength of their pitching rotation, but contract talks between the team and star pitcher Stephen Strasburg are dead in the water.

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Before all the confetti and empties were picked up from the streets of Kansas City after the Royals had their World Series parade, the Major League Baseball hot-stove season had its first blockbuster trade. 

When the Los Angeles Angels decided to give up a significant return package to acquire all-world shortstop Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves, it was the kind of deal that could result in both clubs receiving game-changing players.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a growth in his back, per Fox Sports' Jon Morosi. 

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So, you're the Washington Nationals, you've hired a new manager and a new pitching coach, and you're probably saying farewell to free-agent starters Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister.

Next question: What's the expiration date for Stephen Strasburg?

Now that all the actual baseballing is over, we can finally turn our attention to the possibility of a Washington Nationals star heading to the Bronx and transforming the New York Yankees.

The list of starting pitchers set to hit free agency this winter reads like the notes in the margin of a Cy Young Award ballot.

One arm, though, could turn the market on its head—and he's currently signed through 2016.

Left searching for answers after their talent-laden roster failed to make the postseason, the Washington Nationals have apparently begun considering putting ace Stephen Strasburg on the trade block.

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