Stephen Strasburg Update

by Eli Greenspan on Aug 17, 2009 4:26 PM EDT

Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Nationals' offer to first round draft pick Stephen Strasburg was in the ballpark of 12.5 million dollars. That seems a little low considering what Strasburg did last season with the Aztecs. While he has yet to throw a major league pitch, Strasburg owned an impressive 1.32 ERA with a 13-1 record. Not to mention his ability to throw an 100 mph fastball.

The record contract for an amateur pitcher was for 10.5 million dollars, which was given to Mark Prior in 2001. That was after Prior went 15-1 with a 1.70 ERA and struck out 202 batters in 138 innings. Strasburg pitched in just 109 innings, but struck out 195, strikingly similar to Prior when he was with USC.

One could argue that the Nationals offer is fair, but the fact of the matter is the Nationals are in dire need of pitching and in need of someone who could put fans in seats. Despite being 21 years old, Strasburg might be the only player that could do that for them. After the low ball offer and just 9 hours from the deadline, the Nationals new offer should be around 20 million dollars.

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They offer 12.5

Boras wants 50
Id say the two sides aren’t close…..

Do what Jerry Hairston do

by FreeBradshaw on Aug 17, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

Refresh my memory...

Where’s Mark Prior now?

Man I love that tuna casserole.

by Bloggy on Aug 17, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

They should have him pitch an exhibition series against the two top hitting teams in baseball.

See how he does and then decide if he is worth the extra money.

Hey la, hey, Halo...

by 44FAN on Aug 17, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

its hard to believe

that 12.5 million dollars is a “low ball” offer.

by dabears85 on Aug 17, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

low ball...

Considering the Nats were throwing out 50, 12.5 is a little low. while you dont want to have the agent in complete control of negotiations, that offer has not exceeded the 10.5 record by that much.

From an executives standpoint, that seems like a fair offer. but working with boras, who is comparing his player to jose contreras and daisuke matsuzaka, the offer should be closer to 20…perhaps 15 so you can work from there.

the bottom line is that they knew before offering 12.5 that he would not accept it..

by Eli Greenspan on Aug 17, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'm assuming this post is taking negotiating ploys into account

The Rockies are trying to sign Matzek still, and right now all we’ve heard is a completely vague “2M” from Colorado and “precedent-setting/7M” from Matzek.

all we’re hearing is what they’ve released. There’s no way the Nats are just sitting on “12.5M” and leaving it at that. There are 4 more hours until time is up, I’m sure this has gone back and forth off of the record a couple of times, but things will heat up tonight.

That last line comes off wrong.

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Bahhhhhh this blog needs more traffic!

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

there now my sig has a link

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, I don't see strasburg NOT signing

I think he’d ruin himself by pitching anywhere else

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Funny part is that if he re-enters the draft next year, you know damn well he won’t give Washington his consent to draft him again.

Guess which team benefits? Kansas City. Scary, I know.

by FlyByKnight on Aug 17, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Well "benefits"

How much does he lose with a season of “inactivity” or in other words, Indy Ball? Not just money, but overall talent level.

If he doesn’t sign this season….I’d almost say Japan is a better option, just for the level of competition.

I feel like he’d collapse, or decline, or regress, or some other verb if he plays Indy Ball

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions