The Washington Nationals have won the World Series and are still enjoying the joys of their recent triumph. They say nothing lasts forever, and baseball’s current champions are no exception to the rule. World Series MVP and rotation ace Stephen Strasburg has opted out of his contract with the capital’s team last Saturday.
The San Diego Padres seemed to be among the many contenders trying to get a hold of the 31-year-old. Could they get him?
They Have The Money
Strasburg will come with a hefty price tag. Eight years of toiling in mediocrity before finishing with an epic end translate into a lot of money. They might not be front runners for the ace, but they surely have the money to acquire his services. Let’s not forget they cracked open their piggy bank last offseason.
If San Diego had the money to bring in Manny Machado, they surely have the money to bring Strasburg into the pitching rotation. He would be a big move, one they can certainly afford.
They Have The Talent
The Padres might have been hit by injuries in the latter part of the season, but they are still studded with talent all over their lineup. Fernando Tatis Jr., Franchy Cordero, Will Myers, and Hunter Renfroe are just a few examples of their personnel. Not to mention all the guys on the El Paso Chihuahuas waiting for a shot at the big leagues next season.
Strasburg would be a welcome addition to the team. The veteran righty could be a big help to young but promising pitching rotation. Guys like Joey Lucchesi and Chris Paddack look good, but there’s still a lot to be done in terms of their development. Strasburg could help them on the way.
The “Machado” Factor
Machado didn’t get the Padres any closer to the postseason this year. That’s fine; nobody really expected that after all. He did put up some solid numbers as he hit for .253 with 32 homers and 85 RBI. He had the second-highest WAR stat San Diego for the year (3.1) as well. While he served as a fan attraction and made the highlight reel a few times this past season, he might have a different function this offseason.
The former Dodger might serve as a calling card for the organization to lure more talent into the roster. Eric Hosmer might also help the cause. That alone could very well take the world champion to San Diego.
Could They Sign Him?
Yes, they could. The Padres have all the tools to do so. There’s no reason for this not to happen unless Stephen Strasburg himself rejects offers from them. There is a very real shot the World Series MVP lands at Petco Park.
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