I'm not in favor of shutting down an uninjured player but if you're going to, then make sure it's when you're having a typical Nats year, not one that has you fighting for the NL East title.
I've mentioned this a few times on my podcast Wait 'Til Next Year but I can't fathom how you would shut down a player of Strasburg's caliber when you're knocking on October's door.
I understand the basic idea of playing it safe when it comes to someone like Strasburg. His kind of talent doesn't come around every year and yeah, you should probably baby him and think more long term but NOT during a pennant race and not when he's pitching lights out and not showing any kind of injury.
What does that message say to the fans? Hey thanks for supporting us from April to September but when the games are really important, we're basically giving up. Same thing for the other Nationals players. Hey thanks for fighting it out and grinding through a tough but fun season, but come playoff time we're bringing a knife to a gunfight.
What are you protecting him from? He could take a line drive to the face as easily as he could hurt his arm. Grow some balls, roll the dice and send out your best possible players when the games mean the most.
A starting trio of Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Zimmermann could do some damage in a best of 5. Take Strasburg out and I have no idea what to expect.
The baseball fan in me is disappointed today. Farewell, Strasboner.
See you next year.
Thank God.
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