The Washington Nationals Pull the Trigger on Ace, Steven Strasburg

Sports Betting News - August 18th, 2009 - Written by Glen

The Washington Nationals have been in contract negotiations, with first pick over all in the MLB Draft, Steven Strasburg, for almost a week now. It was not until minutes before the 12:00 A.M. signing deadline, Monday night, that the the Nationals and Strasburg agreed to terms on a rookie contract. The Contract agreed upon, is a 4-year $15.67 million deal with the Washington nationals baseball team. Strasburg is highly regarded as the best pitching prospect in the last 25 years, and his power throwing right hand can reach speeds in to the high 90's regularly. Strasburg is now the highest paid MLB draftee ever, the highest paid player before Strasburg, was former Cubs pitcher Mark Prior who signed a $10.5 million deal when he was drafted.

Scott Boras, Steven Strasburg's agent, also managed to get the young pitcher a $7.5 million signing bonus, with the four year contract. The Bonus will be paid in three increments, the first payment of $2.5 million will be paid 15 days after the approval of the contract. The second payment of $2.5 million will be in January of 2010, and the final payment of $2.5 million will come in January of 2011. The Nationals knew Scott Boras was trying to break the bank on this contract, but any amount of money was the right amount for such a talent as Strasburg. Steven Strasburg stands 6-foot-4 tall, weighs around 220 pounds, and can throw a fast ball that tops out at 100 MPH, Just the type of dominate pitcher the nationals need in the rotation.

ESPN reports Starsburg had these comments after the deal was finalized "It feels awesome. I got a little nervous there for a while that it might not happen, but I feel very blessed, I'm not sure of the plan right now. They said they'd bring me up for the media. They said to take my time to get ready. It's an amazing feeling. I really wasn't sure if it was going to happen, but I'm glad it did."

Strasburgh is scheduled to earn $400,000 in salary for the 2009 season, but since this season is almost over, that amount is prorated to $100,000. Strasburg is then scheduled to earn $2 million salary in the 2010 season, and up to $3 million in the 2012 season. The Nationals signed Strasburg to a "major league deal" this means he will immediately become a member of the Washington Nationals roster when the contract is official. Strasburg will than have to be optioned down to the minors, if he does not perform up to standards.

ESPN reports Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had these comments after the contract negotiations "He's chomping at the bit to get out on the mound. He's ultra-, ultra-competitive, and I think he was getting a little tired of sitting around the house." Rizzo later commented about the young pitchers talent "He's got the skill set that all front-of-the-rotation starting pitchers have. He's a big, physical guy. He throws extremely hard. He's got a solid repertoire of pitches and he throws them all for strikes." Steven Strasburg was one of only 16 of the 32 first-round draft picks to finalize, and sign a contract before the final day. Strasburg has the chance to change the Nationals franchise, it will be exciting to fallow his career from this moment on.

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