Strasburg glad to be sticking with Nationals
Naturally, Stephen Strasburg thought of himself pitching for a team other than the Nationals.
After winning and being MVP of the World Series, Strasburg opted out of his contract and hit the open market. The possibility was real that he’d played his last game in a Washington uniform.
Instead, Strasburg followed the lead of boyhood idol Tony Gwynn by signing a $245 million, seven-year deal that could allow him to play his entire career with the Nationals. This contract has no opt-outs, no options and a full no-trade clause, Strasburg will be 38 when it expires and could become just the eighth pitcher in major league history to spend 17-plus seasons with the same franchise.
“It’s really hard to come by in this game,” Strasburg said Tuesday. “When you’re given an opportunity to be in one spot and grow as a person and a player, to be a part of an organization like this, you can’t really let those opportunities go by.”
EXTRA INNINGS >> The Detroit Tigers are retiring Lou Whitaker’s No. 1 this coming season. The team announced its plans on Twitter in what can be seen as a clear show of support for Whitaker after the standout second baseman was passed over for Hall of Fame selection earlier this month.
Whitaker will become the ninth player with his number retired by the Tigers. Almost all of the numbers retired by Detroit were worn by Hall of Famers.
Whitaker, however, fell short of the votes needed when the modern baseball era committee considered his candidacy this year.
• Reliever Joe Smith and the Houston Astros have agreed to an $8 million, two-year contract..