Shields supposedly has a 110 million dollar offer on the table from a team he doesn't want to sign with. I wonder if it is the Astros. I also wonder if my foil hat is still working.
Not sure if many other teams could fit that candidacy... although after spending his career in Tampa and KC, I wouldn't' be surprised if Shields is thinking to himself "big market or bust".
Think this is a great move for the Nationals. I have another reason to walk over to Nationals Park now. If Strasburg holds up, they should be headed to the world series.
Exactly the sort of signing the Astros can/will make once all the pieces in place. Right now, its still premature... additionally, 7 years for any pitcher over 30 is lunacy.
The Nats already had the best rotation in the NL. The Tigers have had the best top 3 in the AL in recent years. It just hasn't worked out for either team. The Nationals should be looking to move one of their starters now.
Yep, this move could potentially make their rotation historically strong. And it could all mean squat if you don't have consistent hitting that will produce in the postseason. I still don't have a warm fuzzy about the Nats hitting and defense (namely Zimmerman at 1B). Odds are that Zimmerman would be the pitcher they move.
I'd go a bit further and say 7 years for any pitcher of any age is lunacy. 7 years for a pitcher over 30 is just bat-s*** insane. That said, on paper, the Nats are stacked.
So they're gonna probably get 3 or 4 really good years out of him, and then they are gonna still be on the hook for 150 million? Wow, they better win a chip for that money.
It's definitely a win-now move, but I do think they should keep Strasburg if they plan wanting to win the NL. Zimmermann is the guy you can trade away, they probably knew they weren't going to come to an agreement next season anyway.
