St. Louis Cardinals: 5 Unexplored Pitching Trades

Stephen Strasburg

Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 season will be the last for Stephen Strasburg in Washington. He’ll be eligible for free agency, and he’s a Scott Boras client. That’s why his name is floating around in trade rumors. Otherwise, the 27-year-old righthander is the kind of guy you keep.

Strasburg made just 23 starts for the Nats last year, but multiple signs pointed to dominance when he did pitch. He averaged 11 strikeouts per 9, 1.8 walks per nine and a FIP of 2.84. He appears to have been a victim of porous defense in D.C. For the second year in a row, his opponents’ batting average on balls in play was over .300. That would certainly be better should he join the St. Louis Cardinals.

But let’s hope not. The downside of acquiring Strasburg is he would strictly be a one-year rental. No way would he sign an extension with the St. Louis Cardinals, and given what we’ve seen this winter, he shouldn’t. He’ll command a king’s ransom when he hits the market next year.

I’d rather the St. Louis Cardinals just let Strasburg be.

Next: Matt Harvey