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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Nats Thinking About Pre-Emptive Strasburg Deal
Sunday, Oct. 18
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported the Nationals are "retooling," and moving Strasburg could be part of a series of moves this winter. Strasburg, 27, went 11-7 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this season while being limited to 23 starts due to injury. Mostly horrible before the All-Star break, he posted a 1.90 ERA and struck out 92 batters in 66.1 innings in his final 10 starts.
“I learned to be more aware of my thoughts out there,” Strasburg said, per James Wagner of the Washington Post. “There are times in the game when you can kind of let your focus slip just for a split second. And I made it a point to not let that happen, to just focus on each pitch and just let everything I’ve got go on that individual pitch and turn the page.”
Strasburg was one of a select few positives in the second half for Washington, which finished a disappointing 83-79. Manager Matt Williams has already been let go, and management may look to shake up a roster that was seen as a spring training World Series favorite.
Strasburg's a natural for the trade block simply due to his contractual situation. He can become a free agent after next season, at which point he'll likely command a nine-figure contract. Washington already has Max Scherzer locked into a long-term contract and could choose to re-sign Jordan Zimmermann this winter over paying the Strasburg premium. Zimmermann, a consistent fixture in the rotation, will almost certainly come at a cheaper cost now than Strasburg a year from now.
If the Nats could keep Zimmermann and get a big prospect haul for Strasburg, it might be in their best interest to make a move.
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