Somehow, Some Way Stephen Strasburg's Massive Contract Wasn't Insured So The Nationals Have To Pay Every Single Penny Of His $245 Million Deal
We all know MLB contracts are guaranteed, it's a beautiful thing being a baseball player. Sign massive deals and every dime is guaranteed. With the news that Stephen Strasburg was retiring a lot of people went right to his contract to look back at the numbers. He signed that massive 7 year, $245 million deal after winning World Series MVP and leading the Nats to their first ever title. Then he only threw 31.1 innings in his career.
You see how much he's owed, $35 mill every year through 2026 with $11.4 million deferred. Then $26.6 million in deferred payments every year from 2027 to 2029. Just insane money, but he had earned every penny by pitching his ass off in the World Series. But maybe the most insane part of this whole thing is that the Nationals DIDN'T HAVE DISABILITY INSURANCE ON HIS CONTRACT!!!
How do you sign a guy who had injury issues in his past to a MASSIVE deal like that and not have it insured? I don't understand that. I kind of just figured that any major contract is going to have insurance on it incase of injury or something like that. The Orioles famously had injury insurance on Albert Belle's deal that would cover up to 70% of the deal. Tons of other large contracts have insurance placed on them and I legit am in disbelief that Strasburg's wasn't. I'm also in shock Jacob deGrom's deal with the Rangers apparently doesn't have insurance on it and that is also legit mind bottling. I know there is tons of suits in there working on the deal, how on earth is that not something that happens, especially on a guy like Strasburg. The contract was never going to be a good one but no one knew he would only throw 31 innings after. Carpel Tunnel surgery was performed on him in 2020 and apparently it may not have been needed and he should have gotten another surgery. A ton of things went wrong after that World Series for Stras. But again, the Nats were set to be on the hook for all of it. Signing a pitcher that age for that length and that price with 0 coverage is insane.
3 years and $105 million left on the deal and he's getting every penny right from the Nats, no insurance coverage at all. Crazy. It's also insanely scary that he had to retire early from this surgery from his thoracic outlet syndrome that included getting a rib and two neck muscles removed. How terrifying is that? The Washington Post had said that Strasburg had issues lifting up his daughters and doing things like opening doors. He wasn't even close to being able to return and that is awful. It's very sad as well, the guy gave everything he had to that franchise for the 2019 World Series and he earned the massive deal because of it. Sucks he went out the way he did, 4.2 innings in his only start of 2022.
You hope he can just use his hand normally and live a semi-normal life because it sounds like he is having real trouble using his right hand. Still mind blown the Nationals just didn't go through with the insurance on the deal, wild.