Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer owns Yankees in potential audition

You know who wants Max Scherzer pitching in their starting rotation next year? The New York Yankees. And because they have deep pockets, they think they deserve to have him. As Scherzer pitches in the final year of his contract, the suitors are surely lining up with each stellar performance the pitcher spins. For his latest act, the Yankees had a front row seat, on their stage in fact.

Scherzer was locked in once again. The second straight outing he pitched into the eighth inning with allowing just one run. Yankees hitters were fooled all day, which led to Max racking up 14 strikeouts.

Are the Yankees Max’s next employer?

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was lights out in the Bronx, a stage the Yankees would love to see him pitching on next season.

When the Nationals got out of the gate slow early in the season (they are still middling below .500), there was speculation as to whether they would trade Scherzer before allowing him to walk as a free agent at the end of the season. There has been some talk of a contract extension, though the Nationals also have younger players like Juan Soto and Trea Turner they would like to lock up long term as well.

In a division where in the early going no-one wants to run away and hide, the Nationals aren’t thinking about selling off assets.

Scherzer’s counterpart against the Yanks very well may be holding his place. Corey Kluber is on a one year contract and the Pinstripers will want to fill his shoes with a capable pitcher to pair with Gerrit Cole to complete a one-two punch at the front of the rotation.

Speculation of course, and a little to early to make any serious accusations. The Yankees are a middling time right now as well, and haven’t gone to a World Series in longer than any of their fanbase cares to mention.

If the starts align leaving the Nationals out of contention and the Yankees fighting for the American League East Division title, they’ll be inquiring about Scherzer. If they have him in the bag for the remainder to the season, they may have a leg up on signing him to the extension the Nationals have in mind.

Potentially all talk for not. However, if Scherzer was auditioning for a job with the Yankees, he aced the interview.