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Stephen Strasburg is returning to the Washington Nationals with a monumental deal expected to raise the bar for free agent pitchers.

Strasburg reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $235 million contract averaging $35 million per season to return to the Nationals. Following his World Series MVP effort in October, Strasburg opted out of the final year of his contract to enter free agency.

The value of the deal, first reported by ESPN, surpasses the previous high for a pitcher’s contract, which was initially set by David Price after the left-hander signed a seven-year contract worth $217 million with the Boston Red Sox. ESPN reported Strasburg’s deal includes a significant amount of deferred money.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, Strasburg met with several teams — including the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, per reports — before agreeing Monday to stay in D.C.

The 31-year-old right-hander was one of the top pitchers on the market with Gerrit Cole (Houston Astros) expected to meet or exceed Strasburg’s payday.

At the preference of general manager Mike Rizzo, the Nationals are extremely well-armed with Max Scherzer and Strasburg at the top of the rotation.

Bringing back the workhorse rightly likely means All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon will not be back with the Nationals.

Earlier this month, ownership said publicly the team’s payroll — already exceeding $200 million without Strasburg — would preclude the Nationals from re-signing both players.

–Field Level Media