Coming off their first World Series championship behind a heroic effort by starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals are reportedly already planning to work on a new deal for the World Series MVP.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, Washington is willing to give Strasburg an annual raise to surpass his $25 million salary and the two sides are expected to work on a new deal immediately.
The 31-year-old exercised the opt-out clause in his contract shortly after the World Series. Now coming off a championship celebration and a postseason in which he posted a 1.98 ERA with a 5-0 record and 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.
According to the report, Strasburg’s representatives could target a deal similar to those signed by Max Scherzer’s seven-year, $210 million deal and Zack Greinke’s six-year, $206.5 million deal. It’s clear Strasburg is targeting a deal worth $30-plus million annually and he’ll almost certainly get it.