Los Angeles Dodgers: One reason not to sign each star free agent

1. Stephen Strasburg: Age

This might come as a surprise to some people as Stephen Strasburg was initially viewed as this wunderkind prospect and he has never really escaped that perception. While he obviously is no longer a prospect, players like this seem to age slower, at least in the perception of the public.

Stephen Strasburg is 31 years old. He is turning 32 next season and is only two months younger than Clayton Kershaw, the same guy that is viewed as an old grizzled veteran. Strasburg is two months younger.

Granted, Strasburg does not have as many big-league miles and is not aging as poorly as Kershaw. Plus, there are plenty of pitchers that pitch well into their mid-to-late 30s. Does this mean Strasburg is work a $200 million contract from the Dodgers? Probably not.

Plus, Strasburg is the direct benefit of a great postseason that is raising his value. Strasburg is a great pitcher, don’t get me wrong, but he is not worth that kind of money. Strasburg has a 3.28 ERA over the last five seasons, which is 13th among pitchers with at least 700 innings pitched in that span.

He only has one season with 30 or more starts in the span, which was this season and has finished as a Cy Young finalist once.

Again, Strasburg is a tremendous pitcher who will be a huge benefit for anyone, but it would not be surprising if the front office looks at this and passes on an overpaid Strasburg who might only get worse because of his age, not better!