As the Philadelphia Phillies emerge as a serious bidder for free-agent pitcher Zack Wheeler, the front office is also reportedly looking into Stephen Strasburg.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, Philadelphia is looking into the 2019 World Series MVP as a major upgrade to its rotation with the organization’s focus on contending next season.
According to the report, the Phillies are joined by the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in pursuit of one of MLB’s best pitchers.
Strasburg is coming off an unbelievable postseason run with the Nationals. During the team’s championship run, he recorded a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and struck out 47 batters in 36.1 innings. He posted a 3.32 ERA with 251 strikeouts in 209 innings during the regular season.
The 31-year-old exercised his opt-out clause after the World Series and is expected to land a multi-year deal worth more than $30 million annually. While the Nationals reportedly remain the favorites to sign him, it appears more likely than ever that he could sign elsewhere.