Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 10 december 2019
AP source: Strasburg, Nats reach record $245M, 7-year deal

By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Stephen
Strasburg is returning to
Washington with a record
contract, and fellow free
agent pitcher Gerrit Cole
could be in line for an even
larger payday.
Strasburg and the Nation-
als agreed to a $245 mil-
lion, seven-year contract, a
person familiar with the ne-
gotiations told The Associ-
ated Press on Monday. The
person spoke on condition
of anonymity at baseball's
annual winter meetings be-
cause the agreement had
not been announced.
A 31-year-old right-hander,
In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Washington Nationals pitcher
Zack Wheeler, Phillies finalize and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, center, celebrates
the World Series baseball championship during a rally following
$118M, 5-year contract a parade to celebrate the team's World Series baseball
championship over Houston Astros, in Washington.
Associated Press
Strasburg agreed to a deal as part of a $175 million,
that is the highest for a seven-year contract he
pitcher in both total dollars agreed to in May 2016 and
and average annual value became a free agent.
at $35 million. The largest He was 18-6 with a 3.32
contract for a pitcher had ERA this season, topping 30
been David Price's $217 starts for the second time
million, seven-year deal in his career and leading
with Boston that began in the NL with 209 innings. He
2016. The highest average went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in
value had been Zack Gre- five postseason starts and
inke's $34.4 million as part one relief appearance, in-
of a $206.5 million, six-year cluding wins in Games 2
agreement with Arizona and 6 of the World Series
prior to the 2016 season. against Houston.
Strasburg's deal includes In a career interrupted by
$80 million in deferred pay- Tommy John surgery shortly
ments, with all the money after his spectacular ma-
paid by 2029, the person jor league debut in 2010,
said. The contract sets a Strasburg is 112-58 with a
floor for Cole, who is ex- 3.17 ERA and 1,695 strike-
pected to top the records outs in parts of 10 seasons.
Strasburg just set. He's made 10 trips to the
In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) winds up during Cole, whose Astros lost to disabled list over seven of
the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in New York. the Nationals in a seven- those years. Strasburg's av-
Associated Press game World Series, is two erage annual value is sec-
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Phil- cludes Jake Arrieta. faded to an 81-81 finish. years younger and has ond among all players be-
adelphia Phillies and right- The Phillies may pursue an- Manager Gabe Kapler was been healthier throughout hind outfielder Mike Trout's
hander Zack Wheeler final- other front-line starter — fired and replaced by Joe his career. Like Strasburg, $35.5 million in a $426.5 mil-
ized their $118 million, five- longtime NL East foe Ste- Girardi. he's represented by agent lion, 12-year contract with
year contract Monday. phen Strasburg, perhaps — Wheeler is 44-38 with a 3.77 Scott Boras. the Los Angeles Angels that
Wheeler agreed to the to join a staff that has Zach ERA in 126 starts. Strasburg was drafted first started last season.
deal last Thursday subject Eflin, Vince Velasquez and He has 726 strikeouts in 749 overall by Washington in Washington has invested
to a successful physical. Nick Pivetta. 1/3 innings. 2009 and has spent his en- heavily in starting pitching.
The 29-year-old stays in the Philadelphia spent big Because Wheeler turned tire career with the Nation- Scherzer, also a Boras cli-
NL East after spending his money last season on free- down the Mets' $17.8 mil- als. He'll stay in a rotation ent, agreed to a $210 mil-
first seven seasons with the agent outfielders Bryce lion qualifying offer, Phila- that also features All-Stars lion, seven-year contract
New York Mets. Harper and Andrew Mc- delphia forfeits its second- Max Scherzer and Patrick before the 2015 season.
He was 11-8 with a 3.96 Cutchen and acquired highest draft pick next Corbin. Corbin reached a $140 mil-
ERA last season after going catcher J.T. Realmuto and June, which had been No. After helping win the first lion, six-year deal last off-
12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. shortstop Jean Segura in 53 overall, and $500,000 of World Series title in the season.
Wheeler missed the 2015 trades. international signing bonus 51-season history of the All-Star third baseman An-
and 2016 seasons following The Phillies didn't address allocation for 2020-21. Montreal/Washington fran- thony Rendon, another key
Tommy John surgery. starting pitching, and the The Mets gain an extra pick chise, Strasburg gave up component of the Nation-
He joins a rotation led by staff's struggles cost them ahead of the third round, $100 million he had been als' title, also is a free agent
Aaron Nola that also in- in the second half as they currently No. 74 overall.q guaranteed from 2020-23 represented by Boras.q