Poll: Will Stephen Strasburg exercise his 2020 option?

Just two-and-a-half months remain until the offseason. While by no means should we skip over what will likely be a busy couple of months, it is still worth looking at some of the biggest contract decisions that could go down over the winter.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, has the opportunity to opt out of his contract at the conclusion of this season. Looking beyond this year, Strasburg can be under contract for up to four more years. He’s due to make $25 million per season but will only see $15 million each year because $10 million is deferred to after the expiration of his contract. Of course, he also has a potential opt-out after 2020 that he could exercise. This provides some security for him if he does decide to opt in at the end of this season.

Strasburg, a Boras client and former No. 1 overall pick by the Nats, has made 23 starts (plus one relief appearance) this season, going 14-5 and allowing 62 runs on 121 hits (including 16 home runs) this season. He has posted a 3.72 ERA while striking out 175 batters and walking 36 through 132.2 innings this season.

Arrieta needs to decide if he wants to stay in Washington, D.C., and be paid $25 million for each of the next four seasons. If he decides he is worth more than that, the Nationals have no choice but to let him walk and submit a generous bid if they want to get him back.

My guess is that he will not opt out in 2020. This is somewhat of a tough call for me because he has done great and Boras could probably figure out a way to get him more than $25 million in 2020. But there’s no agent who can guarantee him a new deal that would pay him $25 million in as late as 2023, so I think he opts in just so he can keep his current contract. But we want to hear your thoughts, too! Vote in this poll what you think will happen, and justify your pick in the comments.