Stephen Strasburg Retires

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't see there being enough incentive for either party to make a move until the last year of the contract.

It's only an issue for the Nats when there is a roster squeeze from the time the roster has to be set for Rule 5 until the date on which Stras can be put on the 60-day IL. I don't think the last guy to be added to the 40 man at the risk of being lost to another team under the terms of rule 5 is much of an incentive. We haven't had a guy taken and lost in rule 5 since . . . ? and, if we need to sign someone now, there's a lot of releasable guys currently on the 40 man. If there's little roster incentive, then it comes down to cash flow management.

Stras doesn't need to take a discount. End of story.

[Slateman]

At this point the owners should say thanks for the world series win and do whatever they need to do to make this right as long as it's reasonable.

Reasonable is they pay him the money they agreed to pay him.

[Senatorswin]

Reasonable is they pay him the money they agreed to pay him.

I assume the issue is do they have to pay him all the money up front for him to officially retire and if so are the Lerners balking at that.

[HalfSmokes]

I don't see there being enough incentive for either party to make a move until the last year of the contract.

It's only an issue for the Nats when there is a roster squeeze from the time the roster has to be set for Rule 5 until the date on which Stras can be put on the 60-day IL. I don't think the last guy to be added to the 40 man at the risk of being lost to another team under the terms of rule 5 is much of an incentive. We haven't had a guy taken and lost in rule 5 since . . . ? and, if we need to sign someone now, there's a lot of releasable guys currently on the 40 man. If there's little roster incentive, then it comes down to cash flow management.

Stras doesn't need to take a discount. End of story.

Yep. He doesn’t really need to officially retire. He gets paid, the team isn’t going to make him report. The status quo seems to work for everyone now

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yep. He doesn’t really need to officially retire. He gets paid, the team isn’t going to make him report. The status quo seems to work for everyone now

I just don't see when the extra roster slot becomes so worth it that the Lerners feel compelled to deal.

[Senatorswin]

I just don't see when the extra roster slot becomes so worth it that the Lerners feel compelled to deal.

So I guess sometime in the 2027 season they honor Stras with a bobblehead and entry into the Ring of Fame?

[Senatorswin]

MLB had the best recent debuts in MLB. Number 1 on the list is Stras's.

[Natsinpwc]

MLB had the best recent debuts in MLB. Number 1 on the list is Stras's.

Right on target. It was electric. 

[Senatorswin]

Right on target. It was electric.

I was always at the Nats big events except that day. First all-time Nats win in Philly when Jose Vidro hit a home run in the 10th inning, I was there. First Nats game at home, I was there. First game at Nats ParK, I was there. Wild Card game they almost lost in 2019, I was there. Stras debut, I was in Florida on vacation. I kept abreast of what was going on through gameday on WWW.ESPN.COM. UGH!

[Elvir Ovcina]

I was always at the Nats big events except that day. First all-time Nats win in Philly when Jose Vidro hit a home run in the 10th inning, I was there. First Nats game at home, I was there. First game at Nats ParK, I was there. Wild Card game they almost lost in 2019, I was there. Stras debut, I was in Florida on vacation. I kept abreast of what was going on through gameday on WWW.ESPN.COM. UGH!

Funny enough, I have none of those but I've got you covered on the first Nats game ever in Philly, Strasmas, plus the Zimmermann no-no.

[Senatorswin]

Funny enough, I have none of those but I've got you covered on the first Nats game ever in Philly, Strasmas, plus the Zimmermann no-no.

I forgot about the Zimmermann no-no. That was the last Sunday of the season and the Redskins were playing. Usually I would stay home and watch them but my son suggested we go to the Nats game so I was at that also.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Sherzer's "perfect-but-for-that-rat-Tabata" game was pretty memorable too 

[imref]

Zuck from this morning's chat. Nothing that hasn't already been reported:

My understanding of the situation: Strasburg conceded last summer he could no longer pitch, and he and the Nationals made plans to make an official announcement in early September, under terms both sides found satisfactory. But before that announcement was made, some portion of the ownership group disagreed with the terms of the deal and sought to change them, which postponed the announcement. Strasburg and Boras clearly were bothered by that. At some point after the season ended, the matter went to MLB and the Players' Association, both of which obviously had interest in how this all worked out. But eventually it was sent back to the Nats and Strasburg, who were informed it was up to them to negotiate a settlement. And that's where things still stand. The relationship between Strasburg and at least a portion of ownership has deteriorated, and it's going to take a lot of work to be repaired. I know a lot of people (including the vast majority of those who work for the Nats, including in several high-up positions) want to give Strasburg the sendoff he deserves. But the current state of the relationship with that portion of ownership will probably prevent it from happening anytime soon. It's quite sad.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wow. Fingering that it is on portions of the ownership team. I assume it isn't Mark.

[Senatorswin]

Washington would be without a World Series Championship for 100 years this year without Stras. He always showed up in big games. Treat him right.

[GburgNatsFan]

So who is this mysterious ownership member and why hasn't the Post reported on them?

[imref]

Wow. Fingering that it is on portions of the ownership team. I assume it isn't Mark.

Mark did post that message about seeing Strasburg in Spring Training, so it is possible it's him. I'd imagine as majority owner he could overrule others.

[Slateman]

Wow. Fingering that it is on portions of the ownership team. I assume it isn't Mark.

Oh Mark is all about freaking people over on money. That is the family business. At this point the Lerners have probably convinced themselves that Strasburg knew all along his arm was freaked and had Boras play them like a fiddle.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Funny, I pegged Mark as the fanboi. Isn't Edward Cohen the one that's more the guy in the family's other businesses?

[imref]

Probably need to rename this thread:

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/nationals-want-strasburg-to-report-to-camp-mentor-teammates

[PowerBoater69]

Probably need to rename this thread:

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/nationals-want-strasburg-to-report-to-camp-mentor-teammates

Interesting that Zuckerman mentioned that Strasburg's relationship is strained with some but not all of the owners. Another indication that the Cohen and Tanenbaum branches of the family are not in lock step with Mark Lerner.

The relationship between the 35-year-old right-hander and some members of club ownership has become strained since initial plans for his retirement announcement last August fell apart over financial details, according to sources familiar with both sides.

[IanRubbish]

Probably need to rename this thread:

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/nationals-want-strasburg-to-report-to-camp-mentor-teammates

Strasburg has no interest in doing this, and the Lerners have to accept that they're screwed.  This only makes them look even worse than they already do.  Wouldn't be in much better shape if they had signed Rendon and the deferrals were their choice.   The article says he's owed just over $100 million but it's actually $150 million due to the deferrals.

[HondoKillebrew]

Strasburg has no interest in doing this, and the Lerners have to accept that they're screwed.  This only makes them look even worse than they already do.  Wouldn't be in much better shape if they had signed Rendon and the deferrals were their choice.   The article says he's owed just over $100 million but it's actually $150 million due to the deferrals.

“The matter was sent to Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association after the season, but after review, the team and player were informed it was up to them to settle on their own, according to sources.”

But it IS settled. It may be painful for the Nats, and I don’t like that this hurts the ability of the team to spend money elsewhere, but they agreed to the contract. This game they’re now playing just looks terrible. 

[imref]

Stras could always retire. But he wants to get paid.

[HalfSmokes]

He should come and tell all the young guys how crappy the organization is and give interviews about how crappy they are. Maybe then the team would send him home