The Washington Nationals have agreed to extend right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reported Monday evening.
An official announcement of the extension will come tomorrow, according to Janes. Strasburg will make $175 million over the next seven seasons, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. This will keep Strasburg in a Nationals uniform through the 2023 season. This type of extension is something of a rarity for Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras. Boras seldom signs extensions for players before they reach free agency, where they can receive true market value. The last time Boras made a deal similar to Strasburg's was in 2011, when he completed a five-year extension for Jered Weaver with the Angels worth $85 million. The 27-year-old Strasburg has been a keystone in the Nationals' recent success, helping the team reach the playoffs in 2012 and 2014, the first two postseason appearances for Washington since they moved from Montreal. Strasburg was subject to some controversy in 2012 when the Nationals kept him from pitching in the playoffs being only two years removed from Tommy John surgery and pitching in his first full season in the Majors. A one-time phenom, Strasburg was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2009 MLB Draft and reached the Major Leagues the very next season at age 21. Strasburg suffered from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow on August 21, 2010 against the Phillies, forcing him to have the Tommy John procedure. Strasburg made the National League All-Star team just two years later, but other injuries have kept Strasburg from being an elite pitcher, rather than just a very good pitcher. In 2015, Strasburg went 11-7 with a 3.46 ERA and a 155 to 26 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 127 1/3 innings pitched. He posted a 2.81 FIP, 2.69 xFIP, and a 3.4 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement in 23 starts. Through six starts this season, Strasburg has pitched to an elite level. He is 5-0 with a 2.36 ERA and a 47 to 9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 42 innings pitched. He has a 1.79 FIP and a 2.69 xFIP, as well as a 1.7 fWAR. Strasburg's extension may pave way for a deal for Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who also is represented by Boras. The true impact, if any, however, remains to be seen. Before the extension, Strasburg was arguably the best free agent in this offseason's class. Other notable starting pitchers expected to be available include Brett Anderson, Clay Buchholz, Mat Latos, and Jeremy Hellickson. Scott Kazmir and James Shields could become free agents pending their respective opt-out clauses. In Washington, a budding ace in Stephen Strasburg has not only become part of his team's present plans, but now their future plans as well with a large, seven-year extension. --Devan Fink
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The Washington Nationals have signed right-handed starter Bronson Arroyo, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The team has since announced the deal.
Arroyo has agreed to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training. He will be reunited with Dusty Baker, who managed Arroyo for most of his career while he pitched for the Reds. If he makes the Nationals' 25-man roster, Arroyo will earn a $2 million base, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. He can make up to $8 million if he makes 32 starts. Washington had been mentioned as a suitor for Arroyo just this week, with the Reds, Marlins, and Padres also showing varying amounts of interest. With the deal, Arroyo adds depth to the Nationals' rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark, and Joe Ross. Turning 39 this February, Arroyo has not pitched since 2014, having had Tommy John surgery. This past season, Arroyo was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Braves to the Dodgers, but did not throw a single pitch for any of them. Arroyo's last full season came in 2013, while with the Reds. He went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA and a 124 to 34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 202 innings pitched. Over his career, Arroyo was known as one of the most durable pitchers in the Majors. He threw 199 or more innings every season from 2005 to 2013, with solid results during that time. Overall, with the Reds, Pirates, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks, he has a 4.19 ERA and a 2.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2,364 2/3 innings. --Devan Fink
The Nationals, Reds, and Marlins are interested in right-handed starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Peter Gammons of MLB Network report.
Arroyo was in Cincinnati on January 22 to throw for the Reds, according to Robert Murray of Baseball Essential, though no deal is close. Arroyo spent the 2015 season with three teams, the Diamondbacks, the Braves, and the Dodgers, but did not throw a single pitch, as he had Tommy John surgery. The soon-to-be 39-year-old probably won't be looking for a long-term deal. He could be a veteran presence in any rotation, including Miami's, who has reportedly been connected to other veteran arms, like Doug Fister, Tim Lincecum, and Cliff Lee. Once one of the most durable pitchers in the Major Leagues, Arroyo threw 200 or more innings every single year from 2005 to 2013, excluding 2011, when he threw 199. His last full season came in 2013, when he went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA and a 124 to 34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 202 innings pitched. He was worth 1.2 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement. Arroyo has pitched 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, registering a 4.19 ERA and a 2.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2,364 2/3 innings pitched. He has been worth 24.8 fWAR in his career, pitching for the Reds, Pirates, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks. --Devan Fink
The Washington Nationals are pursuing free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in free agency, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported Wednesday evening.
Rosenthal reported that the Mets and White Sox remain interested in Cespedes, but only at a three-year deal. The Nationals, who made runs at Jason Heyward and Justin Upton, "possibly could land Cespedes with a longer deal," writes Rosenthal. It is not exactly easy to picture where the Nationals could fit Cespedes in their outfield. With Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Ben Revere, Washington's outfield is quite full. The Nationals could decide to trade one of the outfielders, but after acquiring Revere just recently, Werth appears to be the only option that could be dealt. And even he could cause issues. Werth still has $42 million remaining on his contract and has a no-trade clause. Could the Nationals add Cespedes without a trade? Washington could consider playing either Cespedes or Harper in center field and platooning Werth and Revere in one of the corners, most likely left. Revere could also fill in at the other outfield spots to give either Harper or Cespedes a day off. Joining Daniel Murphy, the 30-year-old Cespedes would be the second Met to come over to play for the Nationals this offseason. Cespedes would be quite an addition for the team, hitting .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs and 105 RBIs in 676 plate appearances last season. He was worth 6.7 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement. --Devan Fink
The Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays officially announced the completion of a Major Leaguer for Major Leaguer swap on Friday night.
Washington acquired outfielder Ben Revere from Toronto, sending right-handed relief pitcher Drew Storen their way, as Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported. A player to be named later also heads to the Nationals and cash considerations also head to the Blue Jays. Heyman reported earlier Friday evening that the Nationals were pursuing Revere, but did not mention that anything was close. He reported a while later that their interest in Revere was very strong and mentioned that Storen could head north of the border. |
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