The rotation of the Washington Nationals has today a new reinforcement with acquisition of star lefty Patrick Corbin, who accepted a contract offer for six seasons and 140 million dollars.
The signing of Corbin will close after the medical examination that will be submitted to the pitcher who last season played with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Corbin, who had played his entire career in the big leagues with this team, joins a rotation in Washington that already included two aces as rights Max Scherzer, three-time Cy Young winner, and Stephen Strasburg.
The new acquisition of the Nationals was selected to the All-Star Game in 2014, this year Scherzer has been chosen to each of the last mid-season classics and Strasburg, selected three times.
Corbin, 29, is coming off his best season in the majors with a 11-7 record and a 3.15 ERA when he pitched 200 innings for the second time in his career.
The left-handed starter finished fifth in the vote for the National League Cy Young, while Scherzer was second and came very close to a third consecutive award.
Corbin was considered the most outstanding starter in an elite free agent market and became the first of them to sign a multi-million dollar multi-year contract in the major league winter break.
Still in the market is right fielder Bryce Harper, Rookie of the Year in the National League in 2012 and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of 2015 with the Nationals.
The Washington team made an offer to Harper at the end of the year in an attempt to retain him, but it was not accepted.
Meanwhile, the star slugger has already met with the legendary Magic Johnson, as a shareholder of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in what may be his next destination.
Corbin made several visits to those interested in his services, including meetings with the owner of the Nationals, Mark Lerner, and general manager Mike Rizzo.
The signature of Corbin, who attracted the interest of the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies, among other teams, and was expected to receive offers of at least $ 20 million per year, could be a sign that the Nationals have flipped the page as far as Harper.
After finishing 82-80 and not qualifying for the playoffs after two titles in the Eastern Division of the National team in a row, Washington has had a hectic break.
In addition to the agreement with Corbin, the Nationals have already added two receivers – the Brazilian Yan Gomes through a transfer with Cleveland and Kurt Suzuki in free agency – and two relievers for the bullpen such as Kyle Barraclough (transfer) and Trevor Rosenthal (agency free). (EFEUSA) .-
