Despite an ownership group with deep pockets, the Washington Nationals have developed a reputation of being somewhat conservative financially. That seemingly has worked against them in recent years, specifically in pursuits of Kenley Jansen and Bryce Harper.
In both cases the Nationals’ contract offers reportedly included deferred money. That held true even when Washington managed to sign Max Scherzer to a seven-year contract in 2015. Now the Nationals face the difficulty of Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg being coveted free agents.
Of the two, Strasburg is largely considered the more likely to re-sign. Nevertheless, he and Rendon have fielded plenty of interest from other clubs — and in some cases the same team — such as the Los Angeles Dodgers being tied to both players.