Stephen Strasburg's $245M Deal Deemed MLB's Worst After Injury-Forced Retirement

Stephen Strasburg, 37, signed a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Washington Nationals after the 2019 season. His tenure was severely hampered by injuries, limiting him to just seven starts across 2020-2021, where he posted a 6.89 ERA. He experienced a nerve issue in his pitching hand in 2020 and was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome (TAS) in 2021. Strasburg never fully recovered from TAS and retired last year after negotiating a buyout. The Nationals reportedly paid nearly the entire $245 million for his minimal contributions, and the contract was uninsured, making it one of MLB's least rewarding deals.