Stephen Strasburg signs with Nationals, 7-years, $245 million

Stephen Strasburg returns to the Washington Nationals on a 7-year deal worth $245 million according to MLB Network’s Ken Rosenthal The sweepstakes for Strasburg and Gerrit Cole just narrowed with Strasburg’s deal getting done before the winter meetings.

Strasburg’s deal makes him the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history, at an annual average of $35 million per year. Cole is set to surpass that number this winter.

The 31-year-old right-hander is coming off one of his best and healthiest seasons, which helped the Nationals to a World Series victory and a World Series MVP for Strasburg. There was much speculation as to where he would end up, with a return to the west coast seemingly a real possibility. But recent reports put his old team back at the top of the likely suitors who would sign him.

With Strasburg signing, we could see Cole’s negotiations ramp up. This deal is great news for Cole, who should benefit from the market getting a big bump.