Padres plan to make play for Strasburg, report says
A day after World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg opted out of his contract with the Nationals, which was to pay him $100 million over the next four seasons, the San Diego UnionTribune reported Sunday that the Padres likely will be among his suitors.
Strasburg, a San Diego State alum, was 186 with a 3.32 ERA this season. The righthander, 31, topped 30 starts for the second time in his career and led the National League with 209 innings pitched. Then he went 50 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts and one relief appearance, including wins in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series against the Astros.
The UnionTribune reported that “multiple people in the organization indicated over the past few days that the team will be in position to make a run” at Strasburg.
Joey Lucchesi, 26, led the Padres with 30 starts and 10 wins this year. Rookie Chris Paddack, 23, had a rotationbest 3.33 ERA. New deal: Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who was due to make $15 million in each of the next two seasons, amended his contract to make it a $48 million, threeyear deal.
Chapman, 31, converted 37 saves in 42 chances, going 32 with a 2.21 ERA and striking out 85 in 57 innings. He earned his sixth AllStar selection and was selected the Reliever of the Year in the American League.
New York’s season ended when Chapman allowed a walkoff homer to the Astros’ Jose Altuve in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series. Gordon a free agent: The Royals declined their half of left fielder Alex Gordon’s $23 million mutual option for 2020, making him a free agent.
Gordon, a threetime AllStar who earned his seventh Gold Glove on Sunday, will receive a $4 million buyout, completing a $72 million, fouryear contract to which he agreed in January 2016.
Gordon hit .266 with 13 homers and 76 RBIs this year.
Roster news: The Cubs exercised their $16.5 million option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo, ESPN reported. Rizzo, 30, batted .293 with 27 homers and 94 RBIs and earned his third Gold Glove this year . ... The Nationals exercised their 2020 options on reliever Sean Doolittle ($6.5 million) and outfielder Adam Eaton ($9.5 million), but delinced options on first baseman Ryan Zimmerman ($18 million) and catcher Yan Gomes ($9 million). ... The Dodgers declined their $13 million option on infielder Jedd Gyorko, MLB.com reported.