Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 sports
Wednesday 18 december 2019
Strasburg returns, hopes to play whole career with Nationals

By STEPHEN WHYNO opportunities and options
AP Sports Writer to fall back on if you don't
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nat- get your primary target.
urally, Stephen Strasburg It's a little bit nerve-wrack-
thought of himself pitch- ing, but we felt confident
ing for a team other than throughout the process
the Nationals. After win- that Stephen wanted to be
ning and being MVP of here, we wanted him here
the World Series, Strasburg and it was just kind of get-
opted out of his contract ting to the bottom line."
and hit the open market. After not getting to that
The possibility was real that point with Rendon, the Na-
he'd played his last game tionals turn their attention
in a Washington uniform. to filling the void at third
Instead, Strasburg followed base. Rizzo confirmed inter-
the lead of boyhood idol est in free agent Josh Don-
Tony Gwynn by signing a aldson, who spent last sea-
$245 million, seven-year son with the Atlanta Braves.
deal that could allow him "There's a bunch of different
to play his entire career with ways to construct a roster,"
the Nationals. This contract Rizzo said. "We feel that we
has no opt-outs, no options have great options both
and a full no-trade clause, internally and in the free
Strasburg will be 38 when it Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, center, smiles during a baseball media agent market and in the
expires and could become availability, accompanied by general manager Mike Rizzo, left, and agent Scott Boras, right, at trade market, so we'll ex-
Nationals Park, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Washington.
just the eighth pitcher in Associated Press plore those like we do every
major league history to year and try and construct
spend 17-plus seasons with ning third base with the Na- over everything else. More With Scherzer and lefty Pat- a team that Washington
the same franchise. tionals to signing a mirror- than anything, they let it rick Corbin under contract, could be proud of and that
"It's really hard to come image (without deferrals) be know they wanted their the Nationals were posi- gives us a chance to win
by in this game," Strasburg $245 million, seven-year homegrown star back. tioned fine if Strasburg left. another World Series."
said Tuesday. "When you're contract with the Los An- "(General manager Mike His $35 million average sal- Replacing Rendon and fill-
given an opportunity to be geles Angels. "For Anthony, Rizzo) kept in contact with ary is a big jump from the ing the bullpen are the re-
in one spot and grow as a what he did for this organi- me throughout, and I had contract he opted out of, maining offseason checklist
person and a player, to be zation the way he played, I the privilege obviously to and there was some un- items for Washington after
a part of an organization got all the respect for what talk with Ted and Mark (Le- certainty in Washington's bringing back Strasburg,
like this, you can't really let he can do as a baseball rner) about Stras' situation," front office not knowing if it NLCS MVP Howie Kendrick
those opportunities go by." player and wish him the Boras said. "We always would be able to get some- and catcher Yan Gomes.
Hitting free agency meant best," ace Max Scherzer had the dynamic as far as thing done with Strasburg. Soon, Strasburg and his
Strasburg wasn't a sure bet said. But the Nationals put the organizational goals, "You play the 'what if?' teammates will take their
to return, especially with a focus on bringing back and it was very clear that game," Rizzo said. "We had talents to West Palm
Scott Boras as his agent. Strasburg, continuing their Stephen was a priority. ... options A, B, C. You have Beach, Florida, for spring
Boras client and Anthony organizational model of Those things are important to have multiple layers and training and try to do it all
Rendon went from man- prioritizing starting pitching for players to know." multiple different ideas and over again.q

Mad-Bum says 2nd act with D-Backs can be as memorable as first

Continued from Page 18 two days after the sides It is an intriguing decision
reached an agreement for the D-backs, who don’t
Bumgarner’s deal pays $6 pending a successful physi- neatly fit into the category
million next year, $19 million cal. It’s a marquee addi- of a small-market or large-
in 2021, $23 million in both tion for GM Mike Hazen, market team. They’ve oc-
2022 and 2023, and $14 mil- who adds the lefty to a casionally made splashes
lion in 2024. Arizona will de- rotation that also could in- in free agency — like when
fer $5 million annually from clude Robbie Ray, Zac Gal- they signed Zack Greinke
2021 to 2023, money paid len, Mike Leake, Merrill Kelly to a $206.5 million, six-year
in $5 million installments or Alex Young. deal ahead of the 2016
each Nov. 1 from 2025-27. Hazen said the team didn’t season — but usually are
He gets a hotel suite on start the offseason target- content to have a payroll
the road, the right to block ing Bumgarner, but once in the middle of the MLB
trades to five teams and talks started it became an pack.
four premium seats at all obvious fit. Arizona finished 85-77 last
games. Newly acquired Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison “His presence, his lead- season after trading Gre-
Bumgarner said Arizona Bumgarner speaks after being introduced during a team ership, certainly his track inke to Houston in July.
was his “No. 1 place” when availability, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Phoenix. record,” Hazen said. “All Now the D-backs are try-
he talked with his agent Associated Press the things we’ve watched ing to build a roster that
about potential new desti- Carolina native said he’s in the Phoenix area where from across the field with can catch the Los Ange-
nations and said he “defi- always enjoyed Arizona he could bring his family. the success he’s had with les Dodgers, who won 106
nitely left some money on during spring training when Now he’s looking forward to the San Francisco Giants, games last season to earn
the table” to come to the he was with the Giants, and it being his second home. we felt this was a big add their seventh straight NL
Diamondbacks. The North would usually rent a place The move was announced for us.” West title.q