Stephen Strasburg opts out of contract
Stephen Strasburg may have thrown his last pitches for the Washington Nationals.
The World Series MVP has an opt-out clause in his contract that allows him to pass up the remaining four years and $100 of his deal in order to become a free agent. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Strasburg has chosen to exercise the option to terminate his deal.
BREAKING: Stephen Strasburg has opted out of the final four years and $100M of his deal with the Nationals.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 3, 2019
Strasburg sheds the final four years and $100M of his contract, though there was $40M in deferred money in the deal, so the present-day value of it was about $88M.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 3, 2019
Strasburg had a standout season for the Nationals that saw him lead the National League in wins (18) and innings pitched (209) during the regular season. He then went 5-0 during the postseason, including two wins in the World Series, with a 1.98 ERA on the way to be being named World Series MVP.
The door still remains open that Strasburg can return to the Nationals. However, after his stellar season there is little doubt the 31-year-old right-handed will receive lucrative offers that Washington will have to decide if it is willing to match.
