builtfromwax Member since May 01st 2007 1879 posts
Tue Dec-10-19 10:32 AM
5. "he's not the flame thrower he once was 10 yrs ago..." In response to Reply # 2
...he has much better command of all his pitches. fastballs (which tops out in the mid-hi 90s now), curve ball, change-up and slider. he's not quite finesse, but he doesn't rely on power as he did when he entered the big leagues. the number of different pitches he can throw at any given time w/o relying on gas is his strength now. but if he needs to, he can bring a high heater too.
Verlander and Scherzer are the model for starting pitchers who age well; the Nats believe Strasburg can have the same or better success. especially because he's a teammate of a guy who's 5 yrs into a 7 yr/$215M deal (Scherzer).
if he stays healthy, this contract might be looked at as a bargain toward the end.
6. "Rendon been gone since May" In response to Reply # 0
Glad they brought him back. The way the contract breaks down he went from 4 years with $60 million up front and $40 million deferred to 7 years with $165 up front and $80 million deferred. Shorter deferral window (3 years) than previous big contracts the team has given out and I think this is the first time there was interest on the deferrals.
I feel like Boras was playing this strategically to get Strasburg back and now push the price tag for Cole and some other FAs.
I like the notion of Strasburg being the career guy. He'd need a Curt Schilling type 30s decade to get HOF consideration, but he can strike out 3000 and get his # retired if he stays healthy. It's a good full circle redemption narrative. Though I still have a mental Rolodex of everyone who called him soft and complained about his temperament from 2013 through spring of last season.
Tiger Woods Member since Feb 15th 2004 18387 posts
Tue Dec-10-19 01:30 PM
7. "I think (hope) there's an outside chance Rendon stays" In response to Reply # 6
I think people will be surprised when Rendon's deal tops out at like 5 or 6 years. Not one of these mega-long situations we've become accustomed to.
I also think the deferrals in the Strasburg deal aid the possibility of Rendon coming back. Rendon negotiated with the Nats all season long, call me a homer but that leads me to believe at least somewhat that he wants to be here.
If ever they could find a way to bring back BOTH dudes that would be an upset nearly as big as our world series was.
8. "I don't think the higher ups want him back" In response to Reply # 7
It was reported that he had a number for a while and the Nats didn't give him the number.
I think it's similar to what happened with Harper. It was a known fact he wanted to set the record for biggest contract. So the team offers him a respectable but not record setting contract...Then he signs somewhere else with a record setting contract. Team didn't think he was worth the price tag. Did it with Jordan Zimmermann too. Feels like a bright line situation with how Rizzo evaluates things.
I imagine Rizzo has been preparing for this departure for a minute. Trade or band aid short contract coming soon. 3B is crazy deep right now.
If they're smart, I hope they're negotiating with Soto right now. He still has 2 years of cost controlled leverage to counter balance open market years. Give him like 10/$275, defer some of it. If Rendon walks and the team announces Soto through 2030, fans will be fine.
10. "It's a legal term of art" In response to Reply # 9
>>Feels like a bright line situation >>with how Rizzo evaluates things. > >What does the phrase 'bright line situation' mean? Haven't >come across that term before.
As if to say there is no gray area. Only black and white. In the law it is contrasted with a balancing test.
In other words, Mike Rizzo walks into the room and says, "We are willing to give you 4 years at $80 million." The agent says, "Well, we had more in mind." Then Rizzo responds with, "Well, I guess that'll be all then." No back and forth, no negotiating or counter offering. Just: Here it is.
builtfromwax Member since May 01st 2007 1879 posts
Wed Dec-11-19 11:02 PM
12. "Rendon!!! SEE YOU LLLLLATER!!! signs w/Angels 7yrs/$245M..." In response to Reply # 0
...Tony Two Bags secured the bag; the Nats were $30M off.
regardless of who gets brought in, this is a HUGE hole in the 2020 lineup and on the hot corner. this is where the lack depth in the farm system will show. i’m not convinced Kieboom is the answer @ 3B; nor is Luis Garcia; trade or short-term FA is the strongest option.
13. "RE: Rendon!!! SEE YOU LLLLLATER!!! signs w/Angels 7yrs/$245M..." In response to Reply # 12
>...Tony Two Bags secured the bag; the Nats were $30M off.
About half the Nats offer was deferred so it was probably more like $60 million off. He wanted Arenado money and damn if he didn't get it. Good for him.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okay Sports
