Boras demands contract extension for Strasburg

WASHINGTON, DC — According to SSNN sources, the Washington Nationals have been contacted by uber-agent Scott Boras, who is demanding a contract extension for injured pitcher Steven Strasburg.

“You gotta strike while the iron is hot,” Boras said. “That’s the way the game works. And there’s nobody out there getting more attention right now than Steven Strasburg.”

Strasburg, who was the first pick in the 2009 MLB draft, received a record $15 million over four years coming out of San Diego State. Boras is said to be seeking an additional $75 million over another three years, which would make Strasburg the highest paid pitcher in MLB history.

“Think about all the earned media that the Nationals are getting right now,” Boras said. “Everyone is talking Strasburg, Strasburg, Strasburg. It’s an election year, for goodness sakes. And in Washington, DC, they are talking about a baseball player. Tell me that’s not worth $75 to $100 million.”

Boras said that there are plenty of baseball players out there right now who are overpaid and underperforming, including Mike Pelfrey, Luke Hochevar, Jarrod Washburn and Barry Zito. “I want the same sort of deal for Strasburg. Why should he be forced to play by any other rules?”

Strasburg will miss the entire 2011 season, most likely, as he recovers from massive arm surgery.

“Let’s be honest,” Boras said. “Most pitchers are so much better after they have their entire elbow reconstructed. They should think of him as Robo-Strasburg, and they should pay him as such. They should consider themselves lucky that I’m not asking for more.”

Boras said the massive amount of attention being paid to Strasburg has already netted the Nats quite a bit of cash.

“I know of at least 47 people who have signed on to the Nationals’ Twitter feed to get Strasburg updates,” Boras said. “I calculate the value of a Twitter follower at $100,000 per year, so right there you are already looking at nearly five million. Imagine how valuable he is going to be to them if he actually ever plays again.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!