While the Washington Nationals might not be able to afford both of their top free agents, they’ve reportedly reached an agreement to bring back star pitcher Stephen Strasburg on a record-breaking deal.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Strasburg is headed back to Washington D.C. on a seven-year contract worth $245 million.
Strasburg is coming off a dominant postseason with a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings. He also received the 2019 World Series MVP award after recording a 2.51 ERA with two wins and 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.
The 31-year-old will now be under contract through his age-37 season and will likely spend his entire career with the organization that drafted him with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.
The contract surpasses Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price’s seven-year, $217 million deal that he signed in 2015.
Strasburg drew interest from the Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, but a chance to stay with the Nationals and sign a historic deal appealed to Strasburg the most.