I'm kind of surprised people aren't talking Cole to DC. With Max aging, and Nats spending big on SP in recent history.
It looks like they have at least $105 million before passing the Tax for the 2020 season.
Come to think of it, I'm not sure I understand why people think they can't afford both Ant and Stras.
That would be a pretty good plot twist if we let Strasburg go, and picked up Cole. It does seem plausible as Rizzo seems far more willing to go for big long term deals on pitchers, but not position players.
As far as Rendon and Stras. That's really not so much a short term money issue. It's about Rizzo balking at giving out 8-10 years to Rendon of which 4-5 years are going to be dead money. I'm sure they'd glady take Stras and Rendon on for 3x40 each. The goal for this organization seems to be to be competitive every year and stay just under the cap. Having long term deals that will inevitably lead to 30-40m/year in dead money does not work for that model.
