MLB Bullets Is Swarming With Nats

There's so much on the Nationals today that you're going to think this is Federal Baseball.

• The Nats have signed Stephen Strasburg to a 7-year, $175 million extension, although a lot of that money is deferred. There are also opt-outs.
• Bryan Grosnick breaks down Strasburg's value and the value of the contract. Overall, he thinks Nats fans should be very happy.
• Dave Cameron calls the deal a "win-win" for the Nationals and for Strasburg.
• Grant Brisbee agrees: The contract extension makes sense for everyone involved.
• The famous Strasburg "shutdown" in 2012 played a role in getting this deal done. (And no, I'm not going to link to the Donald Trump stuff. Don't even bring it up.)
• Jonah Keri has 10 thoughts about the implications of the Strasburg extension.
• One of the implications is that the free agent pitching market next season is a mess, writes Mike Axisa.
• Jon Paul Morosi agrees and thinks that Strasburg coming off the market means this year's trade market might open up really soon.
• One guy who could be on the move is Sonny Gray. One problem: he's been miserable this season.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks that while signing Strasburg to an extension is a good move, the Nationals have a lot more work to do if they're going to be championship contenders this season.
• Then, of course, there is Bryce Harper. The Nationals attention is now turned to asking what they need to do to lock up their young superstar.
• David Schoenfield recaps a wild 30 hours for Harper, starting with Sunday's game at Wrigley and ending with him getting tossed in a game in DC.
• MLB is reviewing Harper's conduct after he was ejected for possible further discipline.
• His manager, Dusty Baker, said that he might have to spank Harper sometimes. I think he was speaking metaphorically, but I can't get that image out of my head now. Thanks, Dusty.
• Will Leitch examines what led up to Harper getting ejected and while he admits Harper was in the wrong, Leitch can't help but admire his passion.
• Chris Chase notes that a lot of fans have an deep and/or irrational hatred of Harper.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks that all the walks that Harper has been getting is only going to make him a better player.
• Maybe if the Nationals can't agree on an extension with Harper, they can sign this guy who hangs around Nationals Park and looks just like him.
• One last Nats story. They lost last night after the Tigers scored the go-ahead run on a play where Anthony Gose made a slide that appears to be clearly illegal under the new sliding rules. Yet the replay umpires did not overturn the call.
• OK, that's enough on the Nationals. Royals infielder Raul Mondesi was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a PED. Mondesi only got 50 instead of 80 games because he was able to make a convincing case that he only took it accidentally through a brand of Dominican cough syrup.
• Now for the injury report. Royals pitcher Chris Young is going to have an MRI on his arm.
• The Angels have lost starting shortstop Andrelton Simmons until July with a thumb injury.
• So the Angels acquired Brendan Ryan in trade. The nine-year major league veteran was playing with Syracuse, the Triple-A affiliate of  . . . the Nationals? Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in!
• Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta is going to see a specialist about his injured wrist.
• Michael Salfino notes that the war over bunting is over and the stat nerds have won. Bunting is way, way down by non-pitchers. But not at the minor league level, I can tell you that. But no one cares there.
• In honor of the legendary Dodger broadcaster's final season behind the mic, Tom Verducci does a long profile piece on Vin Scully.
• Doug Padilla examines the case for Yasiel Puig winning the Gold Glove this year. A little early for that. But interesting nonetheless.
• David Schoenfield looks at four players who turned out better than people thought. Anthony Rizzo is on the list.
• Grant Brisbee has more ways that Bartolo Colon can entertain us this season. And he doesn't even include Bartolo's plans to star in a charity production of Hamilton.
• A quick update on the Cardinals hacking scandal. Not much new, but this thing is moving along at its own pace.
• Brandon Laird, who had cups of coffee with the Yankees and Astros, just won a year's supply of beer by hitting a home run off a sign in a NPB game.
• Mariners slugger Dae-Ho Lee gave sunglasses to all his teammates before hitting another home run yesterday. Is this guy the bargain of the year or what?
• J.T. Realmuto tried to hit a home run. It even went over the fence. But he only got credit for a single on appeal after passing Marcell Ozuna on the basepaths.
• Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte deked Carlos Ruiz into a double play. Good the Braves have something to cheer about. They've won 7 games this year and somehow, one of them was against the Cubs.
• And finally, I've seen this play a dozen times and I still don't believe it. Watch Jose Ramirez hit a double, lose his helmet half way between first and second and then have it hit him in the back after he slides in safely. Here is a different look at the same play. Just incredible. What a great sport. Baseball never ceases to amaze.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.