Washington Nationals owner says team can't sign both Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon

At least one key member of the Washington Nationals' World Series championship team will not be returning in 2020. 

Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner told NBC Sports Washington the team can't afford to re-sign both right-hander Stephen Strasburg and third baseman Anthony Rendon this offseason.

“We really can only afford to have one of those two guys,” Lerner told Donald Dell in an exclusive interview.

“They’re huge numbers. We already have a really large payroll to begin with.”

Both players are among the most coveted free agents available this winter. Their outstanding seasons, capped by a World Series title could result in both getting contracts totaling more than $200 million on the open market.

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"It’s not up to us," Lerner said. "We can give them a great offer -- which we’ve done to both of those players. They’re great people. We’d be delighted if they stay. But it’s not up to us, it’s up to them. That’s why they call it free agency.”

Strasburg, 31, led the National League with 18 wins and was named the Most Valuable Player in the World Series as the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros in seven games. Strasburg already has met with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rendon, 29, finished third in the NL MVP voting after hitting a career-high 34 home runs and leading the majors with 126 RBIs. Rendon recently met with the Texas Rangers, who might be the favorite to sign him and bring the Houston native back to the Lone Star State. The Dodgers have also expressed interest in Rendon.

According to USA TODAY's baseball salaries database, the Nationals ranked third in the majors last season with an opening day payroll of nearly $204.5 million.

While they do have expensive contracts of Max Scherzer ($35.9 million) and Patrick Corbin ($19.4 million) among an estimated $125 million already committed to their 2020 payroll, they're also getting great value out of young stars such as Juan Soto ($578,300 salary last season) and Victor Robles ($557,800) making just over the league minimum.

They could sign Strasburg or Rendon to a contract that pays them what's expected to be at least $30 million per year and still be safely under MLB's luxury tax threshold of $208 million. However, the Nationals also have other areas they must address this offseason, including first base, second base and the bullpen.