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Stephen Strasburg extension is a risky deal certain to backfire on Nationals

One thing we know: Stephen Strasburg will be a rich(er) man.

Another thing we know: The Nationals will regret giving him a seven-year, Scott Boras-brokered $175 million megadeal.

Yes, the 27-year-old right hander finally looks like the pitcher everyone envisioned when he was a highly touted prospect six years ago. But the dominance he's displayed since mid-2015 doesn't — and shouldn't — erase the other five years of his injury-riddled career, which makes the Nats' extension a puzzling gamble that seems based on wishful thinking and a way-too-small sample size.

And make no mistake: This is a huge gamble.