Signs Increasingly Point to Stephen Strasburg Remaining With Nationals

The Washington Nationals are fresh off a World Series victory and want to remain in contention in 2020.

Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg are both free agents, and while the Nats admitted they likely won't be able to retain both, it looks like Stephen Strasburg may be sticking around.

Yanks enjoyed their meeting with Strasburg but still would be surprised if he left the Nats. Washington, too, has seemed more confident in Strasburg than Rendon
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2019

Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees left their meeting with Strasburg Wednesday thinking things went well, but ultimately admitted they'd be surprised if he left D.C.

Strasburg was the top overall pick by the Nationals in the 2009 MLB Draft and made his debut in 2010. He dealt with injuries for several years and finally put together a full season in 2019 to finish fifth in the National League Cy Young voting before going on to win the World Series MVP.

If Stephen Strasburg doesn’t re-sign with the Nationals, he would join Édgar Rentería and Hideki Matsui as the only World Series MVPs this century to not spend the next season with the team that they won the WS MVP award with.
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) December 6, 2019

While Rendon is an invaluable asset, the team may be forced to seek out cheaper talent in the lineup while going all in on the pitching staff. The strategy seemed to work in 2019 after Bryce Harper left town, so perhaps it's the route the Nationals will pursue once again.