Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post is reporting that the Nationals have made a record-setting contract offer to their first round draft pick Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals met with Strasburg in California last week to discuss a possible contract, so a contract offer now suggests that talks are positive and ongoing.
The Nationals have offered No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg the largest contract ever for a pitcher taken in the amateur draft, according to industry sources. Their proposed deal is worth more than Mark Prior's $10.5-million contract in 2001 and has been on the table for some time.
Strasburg has been acclaimed as the best amateur pitcher in the draft's history after going 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 195 strike outs in 15 games this past season for San Diego State. His 100 mph fastball combined with 92 mph slider makes for a devastating combo, which should only get better with more experience.
The contract should be in the range of 15-17 million dollars. While it is a huge risk to sign someone to that money having never pitched at the professional level, they just lost their top pitching prospect in Jordan Zimmerman to reconstructive elbow surgery and now need a potential number one starter for the future.
The Nationals have until the Monday night deadline, which the Boras camp will likely push to the final minutes.