Mr.Strasburg, or should I call you Stephen because of your very childish acts of late,just take the money and get to work. Tell your agent, Scott Boras, to take your record-setting deal, and go to whatever level of the Nationalsorganizationthey put you in. I know you want 50 million dollars, so does everyone else, but almost as many would take 20 million. Don't go over the top here, because the Nationals are not going to give you that much money because of a few of my friends. Let me introduce them to you.
One example is Mark Prior. Having pitched with USC and declared the best young pitcher in the country hands down, the Cubs signed Prior to a huge deal before he ever pitched a game. While it looked for a flash as if he may have very well lived up to expectations, his career was dealt a crippling blow as he was hit with injures. Injuries from which he's never been able to recover.
Or remember Ben McDonald? An Olympic pitcher in 1988, the most anticipated college prospect out there, and a first overall pick. Almost as hyped then as you are now. What did McDonald do? Pitched mediocre baseball during his nine year career.
Oh, and how about Rick Ankiel? I remember the expectations he carried, and the Cards signed him to a huge deal too. He even pitched some great baseball while in the minors for the Cardinals.
He had a big fastball, heavy sinker, and a nasty curve ball, just like you, Stephen, and after a great rookie season where he came in 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting, he lost it. He couldn't control anything and was sent to the minors to fix it. Luckily, while there they discovered he was an awesome outfielder and had a huge bat. Stephen, could you be a superstar as an outfielder? I doubt it.
This is pretty commonplace in the sports world. I can think of football players (i.e. Ryan Leaf), other baseball players (i.e. Brien Taylor), basketball players (i.e. Darko Milicic), and scores of other athletes this has happened to. The Nationals are wise not to offer you $50 million and no one else would either.
In finishing, Stephen, take the money where you can get it. Then, if or when you live up to this greatest prospect of all time billing, cash in when you hit free agency, landing a mega-deal from the Yankees or Red Sox. 20 million from the Nationals, or whatever record amount their offering, is a lot of money, especially for a 21 year-old that has never thrown a pitch in the big leagues. Now, go have your first (celebration) beer, buy yourself a super fast car and a huge house, then get to work preparing yourself for your MLB debut that the Nationals will, no doubt, rush you to.
Good luck to you whatever you choose. Hopefully you'll make the right move.
One example is Mark Prior. Having pitched with USC and declared the best young pitcher in the country hands down, the Cubs signed Prior to a huge deal before he ever pitched a game. While it looked for a flash as if he may have very well lived up to expectations, his career was dealt a crippling blow as he was hit with injures. Injuries from which he's never been able to recover.
Or remember Ben McDonald? An Olympic pitcher in 1988, the most anticipated college prospect out there, and a first overall pick. Almost as hyped then as you are now. What did McDonald do? Pitched mediocre baseball during his nine year career.
Oh, and how about Rick Ankiel? I remember the expectations he carried, and the Cards signed him to a huge deal too. He even pitched some great baseball while in the minors for the Cardinals.
He had a big fastball, heavy sinker, and a nasty curve ball, just like you, Stephen, and after a great rookie season where he came in 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting, he lost it. He couldn't control anything and was sent to the minors to fix it. Luckily, while there they discovered he was an awesome outfielder and had a huge bat. Stephen, could you be a superstar as an outfielder? I doubt it.
This is pretty commonplace in the sports world. I can think of football players (i.e. Ryan Leaf), other baseball players (i.e. Brien Taylor), basketball players (i.e. Darko Milicic), and scores of other athletes this has happened to. The Nationals are wise not to offer you $50 million and no one else would either.
In finishing, Stephen, take the money where you can get it. Then, if or when you live up to this greatest prospect of all time billing, cash in when you hit free agency, landing a mega-deal from the Yankees or Red Sox. 20 million from the Nationals, or whatever record amount their offering, is a lot of money, especially for a 21 year-old that has never thrown a pitch in the big leagues. Now, go have your first (celebration) beer, buy yourself a super fast car and a huge house, then get to work preparing yourself for your MLB debut that the Nationals will, no doubt, rush you to.
Good luck to you whatever you choose. Hopefully you'll make the right move.
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