Update (8:18 PM EDT): Heyman is reporting that it’s a seven-year extension worth $175 million that is expected to include deferrals and opt-outs.
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Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post is reporting that the Nationals and starter Stephen Strasburg have agreed on a “significant long-term” contract extension. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman is reporting the same. Per Janes, the official announcement is expected to come on Tuesday. Details of the contract aren’t known at the time.
Strasburg, 27, is earning $10.4 million this season, his final year before he would have become eligible for free agency. He is represented by Scott Boras, so it is surprising to see him agree to an extension before hitting free agency, as that is something Boras clients typically don’t do. Presumably, the Nationals are paying him a pretty penny as a result.
Strasburg would have headlined an otherwise underwhelming class of free agent starting pitchers, which certainly would have (and likely already has) benefited him greatly.
Entering Monday night’s start against the Tigers, Strasburg owned a 5-0 record with a 2.36 ERA and a 47/9 K/BB ratio in 42 innings.