Dodgers Off-Season: Stephen Strasburg Opts Out of Contract, Becomes Free Agent
We are barely a few days past the end of the 2019 season, and there is already big news.
Nationals star and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg plans to opt out of the final four years and $100M of his contract today and become a free agent, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 3, 2019
Yes, you can add another name to the list of premier free agents after Stephen Strasburg opted out of the final four years and $100M of his deal with the Washington Nationals. Moreover, Strasburg opts out on the same day that Washington celebrated it’s World Series triumph with a parade.
Strasburg Looking For A Retirement Contract
Four years and $100M is nothing to sneeze at. However, the average annual value is probably not the goal for Strasburg. Sure — coming off of a World Series victory in which he earned Most Valuable Player honors — his value has never been higher, but an important factor here is age. Stephen Strasburg is 31 years old, so by the end of his current contract he would be 35 years old. A 35 year-old starting pitcher is not likely to get a big money deal for multiple years.
Expectations are that the right-hander is likely looking for a contract in the neighborhood of 6-8 years on the free agent market.
Taking A Trip, Or Staying Put?
Sources are saying he may be willing to stay in Washington on a re-worked contract, and this seems like a good possibility. The Nationals front office have shown a willingness to pay, and after a World Series victory — with his value at his highest — it seems likely that the Nats would at least offer a max contract.
However with Scott Boras as his agent, people may feel like his escape is imminent. Mike Rizzo, GM of the Nationals, has dealt with Boras many times, so it’s certainly possible or even likely that Strasburg could stay.
Would He Consider LA?
While Gerrit Cole remains the biggest name on the free agent market, Strasburg opting out undoubtedly changes the market.
With Stras, there is probably no way he ends up with the Dodgers. The Los Angeles front office hasn’t shown a ton of willingness to give long contracts, especially to Boras clients. The sad part of this is that the Dodgers would most certainly jump to World Series favorites with Strasburg as their number 1 or 2. The Washington Nationals proved this postseason that elite starting pitching can win a championship.
His career era is 3.17 I don’t understand how he’s so dominant that’s just a number 3 starter. His career win loss is very good though. I think he just had a really good postseason, even his regular season era this year was 3.32 that’s solid but not great. He went 18-6 so it looks better.
Good pt! Kershaw ‘s numbers were better, for the season.
Well this is very interesting Stephen Strasburg is also available which starting pitcher should the LA Dodgers go for? Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg or better yet how about getting them both?
Don’t get your hopes up. More likely they try to trade for either a proven starter like Keuchel or another up and coming starter from a team that needs 3-4 position players.
i would like to see the dodgers get both of them but i don’t think that is going to happen they need to improve the bullpen
Prediction: Strasberg to the Padres. Cole to the Angels.
Ahhhh yes another pointless article about another free agent that has zero chance of being in blue. How bout some articles getting a petition going to fire Dave Roberts? Way more productive and will truly solve our problem of losing in the postseason.
Fire Dave Roberts
Prediction:
Dodgers will NOT get either pitcher. A WS ring is not on this FO’s agenda. Nor will they sign Rendon either.
Don’t waist the outstanding offensive power hitters the Dodgers have we should of won 2 of the last 3 world series Clayton Kershaw , and Ryu must go go get the Strasburg from WASHINGTON and Cole from Houston and another tough minded
pitcher to much young talented offensive
power during the regular season and playoffs our starters in pitching is bad time
to make these changes point blank.
To the Front Office and Andrew Friedman:
We’ve all have waited long enough as fans to win a World series Championship. This coming offseason,the Dodgers have money under the cap, approx 45 million, a strong farm system to make trades,drawing nearly 4 million fans, a lucrative TV deal which equates into one the highest revenue streams in all of baseball. There are no more excuses for signing at least one of the big FA,Rendon,Cole or Strasburg. There are no excuses and the only excuse is not getting it done.I personally would sign Rendon for the much needed right hand bat to balance the lineup with a high per year and shorter term in years.. A secondary move would be to acquire Wheeler. I watch Met games if the Dodgers are not on and he has one of the best fastballs in baseball. With working with new pitching coach Prior, he could develop into something special .With a loaded talented farm system and regulars like Pederson,Stripling, Barnes and Kiki or Taylor,the Dodgers could trade and acquire much needed bullpen help. You’re going to lose an important fan base if you bring back the same cast of characters and make no MAJOR changes.
Andy F.
Long time East Cost Dodger fan
TO INCREASE PRODUCATION START BY FIRING R.B. , LET BOB MANAGE, DONE GREAT WHEN R.B. THROWN OUT. R.B.KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT PITCHERS, OR WHEN TO CHANGE PITCHERS. MAY BE BIG REASON HONEYCUTT LEAVES DUGOUT. F.A. WILL NOT SIGN W/ DODGERS UNTIL THEY CHANGE , TO MONEY HUNGERY
Get Strasburg and then Will Smith from the Giants. Let Ryu go. Have Kershaw use an improved change-up in place of fastball and make his fastball his change-up. That’s all the changes they need to win WS!