The Washington Nationals shut Stephen Strasburg down again this week and reports suggest they don't think the three-time All-Star and 2019 World Series hero will ever pitch again. Strasburg is dealing with "severe nerve damage" which could prevent him from ever being healthy enough to get back on a mound. While he's a legend for Nationals fans, the contract he signed after the 2019 season will go down as the worst in MLB history.

After leading the National to the World Series title in 2019 with an MVP performance, Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million contract. At the time, the annual average value of $35 million was the highest for a pitcher in baseball history. He has been on a major league mound a grand total of eight times in the three-plus seasons since.

Strasburg started the 2020 season on the injured list and didn't pitch in the COVID-shortened season until August 9. Five days later he left his second start after facing just three batters, and sat out the rest of the season due to a nerve issue in his pitching hand. His finished the season 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA, a 1.80 WHIP and two strikeouts against one walk in five innings.