The next time the Nationals talk to a free agent, or when they get "serious" with RF Bryce Harper on a long-term deal, P Stephen Strasburg's extension and its "optics as well as its tangible benefits will help the team," according to Thomas Boswell of the WASHINGTON POST. The extension was a "vindication day on many fronts" for the Nationals, who have been "under a dark cloud of doubts since their ugly pennant-race collapse last August." Strasburg's agent Scott Boras yesterday said, "The ethics of the franchise were important. They are medical first. In advance of a season, they said, 'This player’s health (is) a priority that exceeds all others.' It’s an ethic in an organization that you don’t forget." Boswell notes on the biggest deals, Nationals Managing Principal Owner Ted Lerner "tends to take the lead and run silently, often dealing with Boras, the agent with whom he did deals" for LF Jayson Werth and P Max Scherzer. While the "day may come when the Nats are a team strangled by long-term deals gone sour," since the beginning of '11, only one team in MLB "has won more games than the Nationals" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/11).
MUTUAL FAITH: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the Nationals might be paying Strasburg a "fat contract," but he "certainly would have gotten much more if he tested the free agent market." The club "showed faith in Strasburg," and he in return "showed his trust in them." If Strasburg had wanted to test the free agent market, the Nationals "would have certainly understood." There "would have been no hard feelings." Nationals President of Baseball Operations & GM Mike Rizzo said, "Free agency is an earned right." Boras added, "The Nationals took the pressure off the player, and if you ask me, that’s probably the best way to do it" (USA TODAY, 5/11). ESPN's Bomani Jones said of the Nationals-Strasburg relationship, "They've done so much in the course of his career to try and protect his arm. If you're going to do that, you almost have to validate the decision by bringing him back" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 5/10). MLB Network's Sean Casey said, "He appreciated the fact that the medical staff and the front office looked for his best interest at heart" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 5/10). But SNY's Chris Carlin said, "When you consider Strasburg's injury history, I am befuddled by how the Nationals could give him that kind of money and those kind of years" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 5/10).
VALIDATION FOR RIZZO: In DC, Thom Loverro notes Rizzo "was validated" yesterday at Nationals Park for shutting down Strasburg late in the '12 season so he could recover from Tommy John surgery, "a pardon of sorts, issued by Strasburg, for the crime of protecting a player." Rizzo said, "This is really a special day, for me and the organization. I promised the family a long time ago to do what was best for the player, and I’m glad to see that he did his part by staying true to us." But Strasburg, who "saw the abuse that his general manager took for protecting him, also saw an organization that created a level of comfort for a player." Now the Lerner family can "at least show on their resume that it is willing to pay big money for a homegrown star" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/11). MLB Network's John Smoltz said, "You hope it always works out for the club too, because they are making a heavy investment. They want to have this guy as long as they possibly can.” MLB Net's Casey said of the opt-out clause in Strasburg's deal, "That’s kind of the trend. If I'm an agent and I see Zack Greinke got it (from the D-backs) or (Yoenis) Cespedes got it (from the Mets), I’m asking for the same thing as well. ... It might take one to backfire and then the club to say, ‘This option thing is not the greatest thing in the world'" (“MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 5/10).
IT'S WHO YOU KNOW: In DC, Barry Svrluga writes Strasburg "is a very good pitcher," but Harper "is a generational player." Before Strasburg’s deal was consummated, Harper "seemed to be the more likely player to sign and stay -- even though Boras is sure to seek a historic package for Harper," who is just 23. Harper also is "in the crux of an important dynamic" -- that between Lerner and Boras. Fans "grow wary of the Lerner-Boras relationship, because the Nationals’ roster is littered with Boras clients, and they have not yet won as much as a playoff series." But if Harper is to stay with the club, that relationship "is going to be a factor" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/11). SNY's Jon Hein said, " Say whatever you want about Scott Boras, this guy gets the job done for his clients" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 5/10). But MLB Network's Jon Heyman said, "People are talking about this like it’s some kind of bargain, like he could have gotten $220 million. All the pitchers who got more than this were Cy Young winners." MLB Net's Brian Kenny added, "He left a lot of money on the table” (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 5/10).
