Stephen Strasburg Is No Sure Thing

Stephen Strasburg is being talked about as possibly the greatest pitching prospect in history. They say he can consistently throw his fastball in the upper 90's, touching 100+ regularly. Plus, his secondary pitches are supposedly top notch.

But add me to the growing list of people that think he will be a bust. I have no scientific reason for believing this. Only that there are limitations to what the human body can do. Pitching is a violent endeavor, one that goes contrary to what an arm, shoulder & elbow was intended to do. I just feel arm problems for him are inevitable. Due in part, to the fact he will most assuredly be rushed to the majors as quick as possible.

The Washington Nationals have the first pick in the upcoming MLB draft. They are in a tough position. They should want to draft Strasburg but Scott Boras, his agent, has put out there that his client wants $50,000,000 just to sign.

The Nationals franchise is so pathetic, no one player is going to turn them around. If they sign Strasburg and he is anything less than the second coming of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens combined, it will be a disappointment. But if they pass on him, their fan base will never forgive them if he does live up to the billing. (If the Nats actually had a fan base, that is)

Too bad MLB doesn't allow you to trade down or trade the pick like the NFL, NBA & NHL does. That way the Nats could trade the pick to a team like the Yankees or Red Sox that can afford to pay the large signing bonus but also won't be crippled if Strasburg doesn't pan out. In return the Nats could stockpile draft picks to quicken their rebuilding process.

I know it sounds like it would be a case of the rich teams getting richer...but imagine if a team like the Yankees traded their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 7th round picks to the Nationals for the right to draft Strasburg. Now, if Strasburg turns into Johan Santana it's a great trade for the Yanks. But what if he hurts his arm and turns into Ben McDonald. And Washington drafts a future All-Star and 2 serviceable major leaguers with those extra picks. Now the deal looks like a steal for the Nats. Right?

There is risk either way. But it gives teams options that they currently don't have.

Maybe it's something MLB should consider in the future.