The Arizona Diamondbacks are preparing to prove their doubters wrong as they look to make a return to the World Series in 2024. Despite Vegas odds, Zac Gallen, a pitcher on the team, is confident that they can succeed. Meanwhile, Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals has officially retired after not throwing a pitch since June 2022.
Although he had planned for a grand press conference to announce his retirement last September, the Nationals changed their minds and instead made it official through a clerical move on the MLB transactions page. Despite not having pitched in over two years, Strasburg will still receive the remaining $105 million owed from his original seven-year, $245 million contract.
The contract was heavily deferred and will now be further restructured to increase deferrals. Strasburg, who is 35 years old, made only eight starts and pitched 31 ⅓ innings since signing his free-agent contract. He underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021 and will now have his uninsured contract paid off by the Nationals.
Despite occasional workouts at the Nationals’ facility, Strasburg has not thrown a pitch or participated in spring training in either 2023 or 2024. It remains uncertain whether the Nationals will hold a retirement ceremony for him or simply let his career close quietly through the transactions page.
Gallen is ready to embrace his role as an underdog once again as he sets out to lead the Diamondbacks back to postseason glory in 2024. With many experts predicting their downfall based on Vegas odds, Gallen is determined to show everyone that they are capable of achieving great things when people doubt them most.
