Stephen Strasburg was the MVP of the 2019 World Series and has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball since 2010. Anthony Rendon was an MVP finalist in 2019 and finally started to gain some of the recognition that has been long overdue.
But with both players headed for free agency after rejecting their respective qualifying offers, the Washington Nationals are hoping for “quick resolutions” with respect to their star players according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Nats endeavor to get quick resolutions with Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon so there’s time to move to contingency plans, if necessary. Feels like they are slightly more confident in Strasburg case. GM Mike Rizzo met in Phoenix with Boras camp, tho no word of new offers yet.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 14, 2019
This is not really much of a surprise from general manager Mike Rizzo and company. The Nationals essentially made one offer to former star Bryce Harper before moving on to other pursuits, which eventually allowed them to sign the likes of Patrick Corbin and Kurt Suzuki.
Washington would prefer not to get involved in a potential courtship for either of their stars, instead preferring to gauge the staying power while moving to sign other productive replacement players. The Nationals have already assured that they will receive draft picks should one of the two players leave, which would be something of a small consolation.
Still, there is optimism within the Nationals camp that they can re-sign at least one star, and Heyman reported almost as soon as Stephen Strasburg opted out that Washington had begun discussions on working out a new contract:
FWIW Nats are trying on Strasburg already. Uncertain how likely a quick deal is tho. They also want to retain Rendon obvs and from outside like MadBum and Wheeler
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 4, 2019
Rendon's situation is a little stickier. The two sides could not work out an extension last winter and then the former Rice University product significantly improved his individual market with a tremendous year.
Regardless, expect the Nationals to be aggressive in the coming weeks in trying to bring back at least one–if not both–of their postseason heroes.
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