They may keep Jordan Zimmermann, but USA TODAY’s John Perrotto reports that the Nationals are open to trading Stephen Strasburg, saying he is “very much available”. He adds that both sides believe it is time to move on.
Strasburg, 26, avoided arbitration in his second year of eligibility last week, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $7.4 million. He’ll be eligible for arbitration in his final year going into the 2016 season, after which he can become a free agent.
Strasburg has been one of baseball’s best starters over the past three seasons, compiling an aggregate 3.10 ERA with a 630/147 K/BB ratio in 557 1/3 innings. His 28 percent strikeout rate over that span of time is bested only by Yu Darvish (30.1%) and new teammate Max Scherzer (28.6%).