MLB Rumors: Washington Nationals sign Stephen Strasburg to long-term extension

The Nationals and ace Stephen Strasburg have reportedly agreed to a long-term extension. 

The Washington Nationals have been trying to lock up starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg for quite some time. He was expected to sign an extension at some point during the 2015 offseason but he ultimately didn’t. With 2016 as the last year on his deal, he was expected to hit free agency. That will no longer be happening because the Nationals and Strasburg have reportedly agreed to terms for a significant long-term extension.

According to Jon Heyman, the extension will be for seven years and will be worth $175 million. Keeping Strasburg was a key for the Nationals after they lost Jordan Zimmermann, even after they went out and signed Max Scherzer in free agency. Strasburg gives the Nationals a strong top of the rotation with Scherzer.

Strasburg has remained relatively healthy since the controversial premature ending of his season in 2012. This commitment shows that the Nationals want to win and they want to do it now. Strasburg has a career 3.08 ERA in 818.2 innings. While he has only pitched in 200 innings in a single season once, when he pitches, he’s extremely dominant. He has 948 strikeouts, averaging well over a strikeout an inning. That’s quite impressive for a starting pitcher.

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