Strasburg signing tops off Nats' recent run to respectability

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/08/19/nationals.strasburg/index.html?eref=sihp

When commissioner Bud Selig told us he had faith in the Washington Nationals back at his All-Star Game briefing, it was assumed he was being more hopeful than realistic. But Selig looks like he might have been on to something.

The Nationals put together an eight-game winning streak recently, they are playing better than the Royals, Pirates, Padres, Mets and several other teams lately, and they topped off their recent run of respectability by making the acquisition of the year Monday.

The highlight of their improving year came late Monday night -- actually one minute, 17 seconds before the midnight signing deadline, according to club president Stan Kasten -- when Washington completed the contract that could jump-start an organization that looked more like a disorganization when the season began. It took the Nationals a record $15.067 million to get right-handed phenom Stephen Strasburg signed, a number that's obviously high but still seems well within reason for a player of this talent.

Not that the number really matters. The Nats could have spent the national debt and it wouldn't have mattered. All that matters is that Strasburg is a National now.

"I'm not proud we gave out the most money ever to a drafted player," Kasten said by phone. "But we're very proud to have signed this player."

..snip

I agree. He's doing a pretty good job finding and holding on to some good young talent..Signing Ryan Zimmerman, picking up Adam Dunn, getting Jordan Zimmerman (even though he's hurt) trading for Nyger Morgan and signing Strasburg are all very good moves, IMO.
I'm getting optomistic for them being competitive next year.
Oh and not rushing Srasburg to the majors this year is probably a good move as well.

Thankfully, I was way wrong. Strasburg's 'debut' is this Friday.