MLB Rumors: If Stephen Strasburg opts out, where should he sign?

These teams would be very happy if Stephen Strasburg opts out

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 11: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game at Target Field on September 11, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

4. San Diego Padres

If Strasburg wants to pitch closer to his hometown, why not just go all the way and sign with the Padres? They have a strong pipeline of young talent in the minor league system, and each of the last two offseasons they’ve ponied up and given a big contract to someone (Eric Hosmer-eight years, $144 million; Manny Machado-10 years, $300 million).

That said, the Padres currently sit barely in the top half of MLB in payroll for 2020 ($92.25 million, via Spotrac) with $79 million on the books for 2021. So they seem to have plenty of room to spend in free agency, with the aforementioned pipeline of cost-controllable talent to keep payroll down in a broad sense.

Strasburg, with a nod to Boras as his agent, surely won’t take a proverbial “hometown discount” to sign with San Diego if he decides to opt-out and genuinely explores his options. But the Padres can make an aggressive offer if they want to, and with the deals they’ve given Hosmer and Machado it’s proven they’re willing to play in the deep end of the financial pool with the big boys.

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