« Rosenthal On Spilborghs, Peavy, Aybar | Main | Cardinals Chairman "Open" To Deals »

Stephen Strasburg Roundup

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 9, 2009 at 9:57am CST]

Rounding up some thoughts on Stephen Strasburg with about seven hours to go before the Nats are expected to select him...

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo says it might be unrealistic to ask Strasburg to pitch in the majors this year if he doesn't sign until the August 15th deadline.
Newsday's Ken Davidoff reminds us that the Nationals don't have to concern themselves about Strasburg's place in history. After six years in the majors they won't have the rights to him so they should worry about the pitcher he will be in Washington, not what he'll become 15 or 20 years from now.
Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post says Scott Boras and Nats president Stan Kasten already have a professional relationship.
Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that Strasburg will not discuss the draft at the offices of the Scott Boras corporation, as originally expected. Instead, Strasburg and Boras will speak via conference call tomorrow morning.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the Mariners missed out on a chance at Strasburg when they swept the A's to end last season. If they'd lost two of three, they'd be picking first today.
For all the hype surrounding Strasburg, the Nats have two first rounders to select. As Chico Harlan of the Washington Post reports, the tenth pick is pivotal, too.

Full Story | Comments (8) | Categories: 2009 Amateur Draft | Stephen Strasburg | Washington Nationals

Comments

"MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo says it might be unrealistic to ask Strasburg to pitch in the majors this year if he doesn't sign until the August 15th deadline."

He shouldn't pitch in bigs this year no matter what. Send him to AA to finish the year, and AAA to start next year with a May/June call up.

Posted by: maximumpotential | June 09, 2009 at 10:11 AM

There's limited upside to promoting Strasburg this year. What would be the point, other than to sell a few more tickets (which would be offset in the long term by starting his FA clock ticking).

Btw, I wrote a FAKE interview with Strasburg a while back. It didn't seem to be as popular as my Manny Ramirez one from a while back, so maybe it isn't particularly good - but if you're bored, give it a read.

http://www.observingcasually.com/interview-with-stephen-strasburg/

Posted by: kosmo @ www.ObservingCasually.com | June 09, 2009 at 10:34 AM

the nats should keep him in AA this year and unless someone gets hurt or something and let him pitch a couple games in septemeber and start him AAA next bring his innings along. you dont want to burn him out like the cubs did to Prior. have him pitch in 130-150 innings this year and take him up to 160-180 next year and than let him loose the year after. they nats are 3 years away from contending anyway. thats when they will need to be the ace.

Posted by: derman1984 | June 09, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Did he sign with the nationals already? Can you do that like in football? This site said he did.
http://www.mlbtradehumors.com

Posted by: wtschwalbe | June 09, 2009 at 11:33 AM

"wtschwalbe | June 09, 2009 at 11:33 AM"

The site is "mlb trade HUMORS". There's your answer. Recognizing sarcasm = FAIL.

Posted by: maximumpotential | June 09, 2009 at 11:52 AM

because of their 2009 futility, the nats will have the leverage in strasburg negotiations. they most likely will have the 2010 1st pick so whats boras going to do.....let him play in japan or the independents and run the risk of not being so dominant or get hurt or pitch brilliantly and have the nats pick him first in 2010? they should take the same approach the dodgers did w/ manny...offer a huge contract immediately - of say $18-20M- and then let boras negotiate w/ himself every day until 8/15!!!!!

Posted by: Jim Bowden | June 10, 2009 at 08:49 AM

Bowden - A team cannot re-draft a player unless the player explicitly give them permission to.

Posted by: kosmo @ www.ObservingCasually.com | June 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM

kosmo, thought they cant use the compensatory pick on the same player w/out their permission. if they have the true no 1 pick because of the worst record, couldnt they conceivably use it on the player again regardless of permission?

Posted by: Jim Bowden | June 10, 2009 at 12:21 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Stephen Strasburg Roundup

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats


Home Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage