Seeing Max Scherzer in a Nationals jersey again would be a dream come true, but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
MLB free agency is upon us and rumors are swirling. Yesterday, super-agent Scott Boras had a press conference at the GM meetings and he updated the media about his numerous clients and their markets. During the press conference, Max Scherzer’s name came up.
Scott Boras on market for free agent Max Scherzer: “I think teams that are pursuing a championship are not pursuing the minimum. They’re taking it to the Max.” #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 10, 2021
Scherzer is the top free-agent starting pitcher on the market and despite being 28, he has shown no signs of slowing down. He spent last year between the Nats and Dodgers, going 15-4, with a 2.46 ERA, 236 strikeouts, and a 2.97 FIP.
Once Scherzer arrived in LA at the trade deadline, he took his game to another level. In 11 starts with the Dodgers, he went 7-0, with a 1.98 ERA, 89 strikeouts, and a 1.96 FIP. He carried over his success into the playoffs, going 0-1, with a 2.16 ERA, and 23 strikeouts in four games.
Earlier in the week, Boras sat down with SYN to discuss the three-time Cy Young winner. “Max’s decisions are based on winning, not geography”, Boras said.
This should come as no surprise. Scherzer is one of the biggest competitors in the sport and has his eyes set on winning another ring before he retires.
For Nationals fans, a reunion with the greatest pitcher in franchise history is a pipedream. Despite an obvious need in the rotation, Washington has started a rebuild and they are likely 2-3 years away from seriously competing.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t match up with Scherzer’s timetable to win now. This is the future Hall of Famers last chance at a multi-year deal and he won’t want to spend the last few years of his career on a rebuilding club.
Mike Rizzo and company can always shock the world and decided to go all-in this off-season. Scherzer isn’t attached to a qualifying offer and his return would go a long way to convincing Juan Soto to stay long term. However, with so many contenders ready to splurge, his competitive market will keep the Nationals out of the race.