The Stephen Strasburg shutdown plan is in full effect. And Scott Boras has no problem with that, but he's also quick to point out that he's not behind it.
The biggest agent in the game — who represents the Nationals pitcher — is totally fine with the club's decision to shut Strasburg down after his Sept. 7 start.
"Before players are under contract, I have a matter of control,'' Boras told ESPN.com. "I'll ask a team, 'How much is he going to pitch? What's your plan for him?' That type of thing. But once he's under contract, I don't say a word."
To suggest otherwise, as some have, is absurd, according to Boras.
"Do you think [Nats general manager] Mike Rizzo's personality is attuned to having someone call him and tell him what to do with his particular team? Come on. Certainly, I try to give teams insights and information. But when you're not there every day, how can you make these calls? It's not my place or anybody's place unless you're there. A manager has a job. A general manager has a job, and that's what they should do. They make these decisions. I don't.''
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that Boras is supportive of the decision to limit his client's workload. Two years after Tommy John surgery, Boras and the Nationals both want the best for the young pitcher for different reasons.
If a healthy Strasburg makes Boras a few extra bucks in the long run (he most certainly would), then that's even better for the agent.
"I hear people say I'm reserving Stephen Strasburg so I can make more money off him,'' Boras told ESPN.com. "Well, I guess in the end, that's true. But the reality of it is, when Stras has a longer and greater career, we all benefit. But the benefit is more so to the game, because every time Stephen Strasburg takes the mound, we all stop and look.''
Strasburg's season ended after a dismal start against the Marlins on Friday,
where he gave up five earned runs in three innings. He finished the year
at 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, throwing 159 1/3 innings over 28 starts. The hard-throwing righty hadn't pitched more than 68 big league innings in his three seasons thanks to the Tommy John surgery in 2010.
