The New Big Train

How angry is manager Jim Riggleman right now? The Nationals had Stephen Strasburg pitching in the minor leagues until last night, when he went off for 14 strikeouts against the Pirates in his major league debut. The Nats are actually contending this year. They could have used this kid in April and May. Riggleman should walk into GM Mike Rizzo's office and punch him in the face.

Maybe the Nationals were resting Strasburg, just waiting for June to come so he wouldn't log too many innings this season? Nope. They were pitching him. He threw 55 minor league innings in 11 starts before Tuesday night.

OK, so maybe they didn't think he wasn't ready? Nope. The kid finished his minor league stint with a 0.79 whip and 65 punchouts. Noone could possibly think he wasn't ready.

So what kept him in the minor leagues?.... Money. The Nationals simply tried to limit "Big Train" Strasburg's major league service time this season, which would make Strasburg ineligible for salary arbitration after the 2012 season. Basically, this would keep the Nats in control of his salary a little bit longer.

Of course, the Nats management says that all this minor league nonsense was part of Strasburg's "development plan", but I'm not buying it.

I think they simply made a mistake. Let's just say Strasburg started the season with the Nats, there is nothing that would make me believe that he wouldn't have pitched extremely well. The Nats could have had an extra 11 sellouts in his starts, and began making up that extra money they'll just end up paying him in the end anyway. Meanwhile, they'd have tons more fans and more W's in the standings.

I know some of you are saying that the Nats did a great job here. They got Strasburg some valuable minor league experience, meanwhile pumping up the hype machine to unbelievable heights. Last night was better than the two perfect games thrown this season, and the Jim Joyce game, combined. Then Strasburg lived up to the hype by going out and dealing while the whole baseball world was watching. Perfect.

Decent argument, but the Strasburg hype was already at stratosphere heights when he was in college last spring, and you can ask Mike Leake about whether he needed any minor league experience.

Riggleman is pissed.