The 2008-2009 teams had one big advantage, near $0 in future guaranteed contracts. Only Guzman had a guaranteed deal beyond the current year and that was two years for $8 million per year if I remember correctly. The Nats had the least amount of future payroll commitments in MLB. This is what allowed Rizzo to go on a spending spree that led to the playoff run.
I don't think the salary situation is completely screwed here.
They only have two more years or Corbin. No one thinks they're spending for next year's team. And if everything breaks right and they want to spend in 2024, Corbin won't cripple them. His deferred salary is negligible.
Strasburg contract is an abject disaster. With deferred money, it is ~$25 million a year through '29. It sucks. But if we have the luck of some prospects popping and the Nationals actually should be trying to contend, the payroll should be at $175-$200 million. The Strasburg contract is a disaster, but a serious ownership group would still be able to spend quite a bit.
