RADIO
The Nationals signed the biggest of all the free agents this off-season in Max Scherzer. The move prompted plenty of trade rumors surrounding Washington starters Jordan Zimmerman and Doug Fister, both of whom will be free agents at the end of the season. However, a new name has been thrown into the pot, one that is much more unexpected.
Hearing #Nats RHP Stephen Strasburg is very much available and both sides believe it is time to move on. #MLB
— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) January 19, 2015
John Perotto of USA Today tweeted that he is hearing Stephen Strasburg could be dealt from D.C. This trade would certainly be one of the biggest in recent years, solely because of Strasburg's name and his already impressive career in Washington.
Since debuting with the Nationals in 2010, Strasburg has gone 43-30 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 746/166 K/BB rate. Over the past three seasons, he has a K% of 28%, which is third in all of the majors behind only Yu Darvish (30.1) and new teammate Scherzer (28.6.)
Strasburg is still only 26 years old, and it seemed obvious from the beginning the Nationals were invested in him for the long term. National fans surely remember 2012, when Strasburg was shut down after reaching 159.1 innings pitched. The Nationals were in the middle of a playoff push, thanks in part to Strasburg's 15-6 record over 28 starts and a crazy 11.1 K/9 rate. Washington went on to lose in the NLDS to the Cardinals without Strasburg, and have yet to reach the second round of the postseason since then.
The Nationals have Strasburg under contract for two more seasons, including a 2016 arbitration eligible year, before becoming a free agent. Strasburg will make $7.4 million this season, and is total bargain considering the seven year $210 million dollar contract they signed Scherzer to earlier this offseason.
Heading into the 2015 season, the Nationals are poised to have the best rotation in a National League with Strasburg, Scherzer, Zimmerman, Fister and Gio Gonzalez. Tanner Roark, the original fifth starter before the Scherzer deal, is still a viable starting option. This does leave the door open for a potential deal to be made within the Nationals' rotation. While I would not be surprised to see Zimmerman or Fister moved, Strasburg is a cornerstone of this team and should not be expendable by any means. Even with the load of talent they would receive for him, Washington should not be looking to trade Strasburg.
