BREAKING: Nationals "Back Out Of" Strasburg's Retirement Deal

It seems that the Washington Nationals are having second thoughts about that warm and fuzzy Stephen Strasburg Retirement Day planned for this weekend in DC. 

According to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

The original agreement was that Strasburg would retire with his seven-year, $245 million contract intact. He would still be owed $105 million, with deferred payments through 2029. 

The Nationals, who originally broached the idea of retirement, told Strasburg’s agent Scott Boras that they had changed their mind – with no explanation.

So "no explanation" given... But it's a pretty good guess to suggest that the team isn't so crazy about paying out the rest of that massive bust of a contract for Strasburg to stay at home and play with his kids. 

That deal was signed in 2019, after the former No. 1 overall pick was the World Series MVP. But since then, in four seasons, the oft-injured Strasburg has started just eight games, winning just one of them, with an ERA of 5.70 in those starts. 

Saturday was supposed to be a big press conference in which the Nationals would honor him and retire his jersey. But, per Nightengale, "the Nats informed Strasburg and his representatives on Thursday that wouldn't be happening."

The 35 year old pitcher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, one of the most ballyhooed pitching prospects ever. He went 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA in his 13 seasons (of which, really, only eight of them were anything close to full seasons). 

It'll be interesting to see how his agent Scott Boras deals with this. Fireworks are sure to ensue. 

Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports