These teams would be very happy if Stephen Strasburg opts out

1. Washington Nationals

Letting it out there that he’s moving toward opting out after the season could just be a leverage play for Strasburg and Boras. Even considering the deferred payments that strain an apples-to-apples comparison to a possible new contract, leaving a guaranteed $100 million on the table in pursuit of an extra year or two of security on a new deal is not a move to be taken lightly.

Washington has a significant looming free agent this offseason in third baseman (and perhaps now more than fringe NL MVP candidate) Anthony Rendon. Not doing bring him back would free up more money to give Strasburg should he actually opt out, to mention add resources to help bolster what has been a lackluster bullpen.

If all possible scenarios are legitimately on the table after Strasburg opts out, if he does, a return to the Nationals has to be considered the most likely right now. It shouldn’t really come down to raw money, given what Strasburg is already slated get from Washington if he stays the course and doesn’t opt out.

But if contract term is the differentiating factor, Strasburg’s turn in free agency is in line to be the most interesting of the upcoming offseason.