Stephen StrasburgIt’s a glorious day in NatsTown. Stephen Strasburg is finally a Washington National, agreeing to terms with minutes to spare before last night’s midnight deadline. Like other people who follow the Nationals closely, the prospective combination of Strasburg and fellow first-round pick Drew Storen (who called it a “great night for the Nats“) eventually gracing the mound at Nationals Park has us drooling. Is today the best day in Nationals history since they moved to D.C.? It’s up there. Here’s some food for thought on this very exciting morning.
- The Nationals played this hand divinely, even if, as reported, estimates about agent Scott Boras’ asking price were way off — so divinely that even if the front office had failed to sign Strasburg, the Nats could have escaped without too much bad publicity. The signing is another shrewd move in a promising series since interim general manager Mike Rizzo took the reins. Acquiring Nyjer Morgan, hiring Jim Riggleman, and now signing Strasburg: is it possible to say that for the first time since they moved from Montreal, the Nats’ personnel people actually seem to know what they’re doing?
- Speaking of Rizzo: in so much as this is a great signing for the Nationals as a whole, it’s an even better signing for the still-interim GM. Rizzo, who is currently part of a three-man race for the permanent job, was reportedly the man who really got the deal done. Rizzo now has to be the firm favorite to land the post with “led negotiations and fostered one of biggest signings in team history” the latest bullet point on his resume.
- Forget all the hype: all we know at this point is that Stephen Strasburg looks absolutely nasty. Sure, he hasn’t thrown one major-league pitch. But consider the fact that this is a club that ranks dead-last in the National League in ERA: even if Strasburg only fulfills but 75 percent of his astronomical potential, he would significantly help this team.
- Suddenly, the loss of Jordan Zimmermann feels much, much less devastating.
- Sure, Strassy (we know, we need a better nickname than that) is going to be banking some serious coin: $15.1 million over 4 years is nothing to sneeze at. But if you look at this deal in comparison with other recent Washington sports megadeals — Alex Ovechkin (who has earned his 13 years, $124 million), Gilbert Arenas (who hasn’t earned his 6 years, $111 million), and Albert Haynesworth (whose 7 years, $100 million is still to be evaluated) — there’s perspective to be had.
- Now, to the hyperbole. Anticipation is great, but can we stop comparing the kid to Walter Johnson and Ken Griffey, Jr. for Pete’s sake? At the very least, the Nationals have done their part — let’s see what the kid can bloom into. Mr. Irrelevant said it best: “The Nats signed the best player available to a reasonable deal, all things considering — if he doesn’t pan out, that doesn’t reflect poorly on the front office.”
So, Nationals fans: what are you feeling today? Anyone rushing to buy season tickets for next season?
