MLB Free Agency: 5 teams that could sign Anthony Rendon

1. Washington Nationals

Until further notice, even if Rendon clearly (and rightly, due to the position he’s in) wants to test free agency and seems open to leaving, the Nationals have to be No. 1 on any list of teams that will sign him. They’ve set the financial bar for everyone else to meet with that seven-year, $210-$215 million ($30-plus million per year) offer. Or possibly that offer might be the total money floor as Scott Boras starts to negotiate for his client with other teams.

If other teams find it hard to commit that kind of money to a guy who will turn 30 in the first season of a likely seven-year deal, depending on how such a deal would be structured and any potential differences (deferred money or lack thereof) from the September offer, Washington’s cheese may ultimately stand alone. It’s also possible the Nationals up their offer at some point, if they haven’t already done so privately over the last few weeks.

When Bryce Harper left in free agency last offeason, the Nationals knew they had a younger replacement ready to go in Juan Soto. If Stephen Strasburg opts out this offseason, there’s a chance he lands elsewhere and the Nationals will still have two top of the rotation arms in Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin.

But there is no easy fallback plan if Rendon leaves, and Washington has to do what it takes to keep him.