While perusing the Worldwide Leader (I know, I know) I noticed a link to this story about the Natinals and Strasburg being far away from a deal, so much so that the final outcome is in doubt. Obviously, this news needs to be taken with a grain of salt because it's likely just a negotiating tactic by Boras. But, there are two reasons I'm holding out hope that Stras doesn't get signed by the Aug. 17 deadline:

1. He is asking for an insane amount of money, which is accompanied by a certain amount of risk. Any time you offer a player that much money upfront, especially one who hasn't pitched in the major leagues yet, teams will hesitate. Especially financially strapped teams like the Natinals.

2. He could intentionally sabotage this process to avoid playing for the Natinals. This is suspect, and frankly more than a little stupid if you ask me, but superstar college athletes have a history of not wanting to play for a franchise they deem to be inept. Like Eli Manning. While I don't think Stras will reject all offers out of hand, I think it may make him less desperate to get a deal done––as in more likely to walk away from an offer he doesn't like so he could try again with another franchise.

Now, like I said, I'm not exactly holding my breath here, but this is something to keep an eye on. Because if Strasburg returns to the draft–and we'll know by Aug. 18–we are back in the mix. Because we suck.

Obviously if/when the Natinals finish last again and pick first, they are unlikely to try their hand with Strasburg again. To fail twice would be monumentally embarrassing. That leave us in a prime position to fail it out with the Indians, Royals and Diamondbacks. This would be a tremendous splash signing for Moorad as he begins to put his fingerprints on the team. Additionally, if Strasburg returns to the 2010 draft, there will be added pressure for him to sign with the team that picks him. Returning for a third draft seems out of the question.

The point is just to keep an eye on the contract negotiations, even though real news is likely going to be scarce until right before the deadline. (And also, I want to be on the record as first to bring up this idea.)