Stephen Strasburg May Be On The Move Soon

It appears that the Washington Nationals may be nearing a deal to sign free agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven-year deal.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, he is discussing a deal with one other team as well.

Not only that, but Fox Sports Jon Morosi is reporting that the Nationals will be looking to move Jordan Zimmermann – who is a free agent after 2015 – if the Nats do indeed sign Scherzer. But Morosi also hears that if the Nats don’t get a good offer for Zimmerman, they could be willing to move Stephen Strasburg.

Yes please!

While I have been saying for months that I think the Mariners should go all in on Scherzer – and it’s possible that the M’s are the “other team” though it’s likely the Cardinals – I think it’s an even smarter decision to go and get Strasburg.

The young pitcher out of San Diego State University is entering his fourth full season as a big leaguer. In his first three seasons – and two partial seasons – in the bigs, Strasburg is- 43-30 with an ERA of 3.02. He led the National League in strikeouts in 2014 (242) and was an All-Star in 2012.

He’s under contract for 2015 at $7.4M and will be a free agent in 2017. He provides additional security in the rotation should injuries come along, or if/when the Mariners decide to trade Hisashi Iwakuma in 2015, or let him walk after 2015.

With the impending free agency of Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, the Nats could be looking at a trade for either Chris Taylor or Brad Miller.

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The Nats did just acquire Yunel Escobar, but he is thought to be available to split time at second base. The Nationals are also looking at the impending free agency of Doug Fister and Denard Span.

The Mariners could offer a trade package of Miller, Stefen Romero (or James Jones) and perhaps Roenis Elias or J.A. Happ for Strasburg.

While this is an unlikely scenario, it would be beyond crazy for the Mariners to at least not check in with the Nationals on either Zimmermann or Strasburg.

I would prefer Strasburg due to his multiple years under contract. Trading for Zimmermann would give the M’s three starting pitchers that are only under contract for 2015, though in theory, the M’s would have to give up less to acquire Zimmermann.

If we are to believe the stories, a deal for Scherzer is close, so this thing could gain steam quickly. Now we just sit back and see what happens.