Stephen Strasburg agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract extension with the Washington Nationals earlier this month, forgoing free agency this coming winter.
The decision was notable because Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, is famous for his preference of taking his clients into the open market.
The upcoming free agent class is thin, but Strasburg has opt-outs in his contract after either year three or four.
The first opt out comes when Strasburg is 31 and has perhaps established a stronger track record.
"Even better, Strasburg would hit the market soon after Clayton Kershaw, Jake Arrieta and Jose Fernandez are likely to establish new ceilings for starting pitchers in the coming free-agent years," writes Ken Rosenthal.