The Nationals' 2019 opening day payroll of $185 million ranks fifth in the majors, behind the Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees and Dodgers, according to the Associated Press' annual calculations.
The 2020 MLB salary cap = $208 million. So doesn't that mean the Nats could increase payroll by $23 million without going over the salary cap ?
In 2019, Strasburg was paid $31 million and Rendon was paid $19 million.
Nats payroll in 2019 was $204.4 million. Just under the luxury tax. If no Strasburg or Rendon they have that money to spend. Keep in mind guys in arbitration years salaries are increasing such as Trea Turner.
https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/salaries/2019/team/all/
