Strasburg, Nationals come to terms on record deal

Washington Nationals righthander Stephen Strasburg has a deal in place to remain with the World Series champions, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Strasburg — the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player — and the Nationals have reached an agreement on a seven-year contract worth US$245 million.

Strasburg’s deal of $35 million annually surpasses the previous high for a pitcher’s contract, which was held by Zack Greinke after the right-hander signed a six-year contract worth $206.5 million ($34.4 million average) with the Arizona Diamondbacks following the 2015 season. Strasburg’s $245-million total also sets a new mark, breaking the seven-year, $217-million deal left-hander David Price received from the Boston Red Sox following the 2015 campaign.

Strasburg ’s reported record contract could have a short stay at the top given former Houston Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole is expected to fetch a pretty penny on the open market.

The Nationals have yet to confirm the deal for Strasburg, who opted out of the final four years of his seven-year, $175-contract with the team after posting career highs in wins (18) and strikeouts (251) last season.

Strasburg went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in six games (five starts) during the post-season while leading the Nationals to their first title. The three-time all-star started and won both Game 2 and Game 6 of the World Series against the Astros.

This likely means the Nationals will not re-sign all-star third baseman Anthony Rendon as managing principal owner Mark Lerner said recently the team could not “afford” both players.