Report: Strasburg opts out of remaining $100M contract

Stephen Strasburg is reportedly on the market.

The reigning World Series MVP exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Washington Nationals in order to become a free agent, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

His decision was officially due at noon ET on Saturday, two hours before the Nationals' championship parade began.

Strasburg is forgoing four years and $100 million in guaranteed money left on his original seven-year, $175-million deal. He'll receive an additional $30 million in deferred money from the Nationals over the next three seasons regardless of where he signs, according to Cot's Contracts.

Strasburg is still eligible to receive a $17.8-million qualifying offer from Washington, which would tie him to draft-pick compensation.

The Nationals drafted the 31-year-old first overall in 2009, and he made his MLB debut the following season. Strasburg has lived up to his draft promise over 10 seasons, becoming a three-time All-Star and a stalwart of the Nats' rotation. He holds multiple franchise pitching records from the Washington era and is the Nationals'/Expos' all-time strikeout leader.

With his opt-out looming, Strasburg turned in a stellar 2019 season. He led the NL in wins (18) and innings (209), while his 251 strikeouts ranked second and were tops on his team.

Strasburg added to his legend in the postseason, crafting a sparkling 1.98 ERA with 47 strikeouts in six outings (five starts) while holding opponents to a meager .221 average. Over his postseason career, he's 7-2 with a 1.46 ERA and 71 strikeouts.

Strasburg isn't the only Nat who's headed to free agency. Washington declined club options on first baseman Ryan Zimmerman - who's been with the team since its inaugural season in D.C. - and catcher Yan Gomes, Feinsand reported earlier Saturday.

The team did exercise its club options on reliever Sean Doolittle ($6.5 million) and outfielder Adam Eaton ($9.5 million), Feinsand added.