Strasburg, other top picks go to deadline

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals went down to the final hours before the deadline for teams to sign draft picks, one of 11 first-round picks without agreements.

The San Diego State right-hander, being advised by Scott Boras, was selected first by the last-place Nationals in June and was seeking to set the mark for the most money guaranteed to a drafted player. That’s been held since 2001 by pitcher Mark Prior, who received a $10.5 million, five-year contract after he was selected with the second pick, behind Joe Mauer.

Nationals president Stan Kasten said Saturday it was possible the Nationals wouldn’t sign the hard-throwing pitcher, who would then become eligible for next June’s draft. Washington, in turn, would receive an additional first-round pick next June, right after the No. 1 pick.

Tags: sports, baseball, mlb, nationals, strasburg