Stephen Strasburg Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation on Nationals Star

After the Washington Nationals reportedly agreed to terms with free agent Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg became a luxury for the club's starting rotation. Now, it appears the two sides may be parting ways.

Continue for updates.

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Strasburg 'Very Much Available'

Monday, Jan. 19

"Hearing #Nats RHP Stephen Strasburg is very much available and both sides believe it is time to move on," reported USA Today's John Perrotto.

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Zimmermann Could Decide Strasburg's Fate with Nationals

Sunday, Jan. 18

That means Stephen Strasburg could potentially be expendable, per Fox Sports' Jon Morosi:

Still only 26 years old, the former No. 1 overall pick already has five seasons of major league experience under his belt. After Tommy John surgery forced him to miss a large portion of the first two, he has been remarkably consistent in the last three, compiling at least 28 starts and an ERA of 3.16 or lower in all of them. 

In 2014, he tied for the major league lead in starts (34), finishing with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and a brilliant strikeout-to-walk ratio of 242-43. The fireballer has developed into a dominant top-of-the-rotation starter. 

He just avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $7.4 million.

Should the Nats end up signing Scherzer, they will have an interesting decision to make. If Strasburg were to stay put, they would boast a rotation with unreal depth and talent, as Fangraphs' Mike Petriello noted:

On the other hand, Strasburg is one of the best young pitchers in the game, and he's still under team control through the 2016 MLB season, per Cot's Baseball Contracts. He would bring a massive package in return, helping the Nats improve in other areas.