On the second to last day of the season Justin Verlander pitched in the final game of his career. He signed with the Detroit Tigers in the offseason and late in the season announced he would retire with the franchise that he accomplished many of his career highlights with. In his final career game in front of the home Detroit fans Verlander was given a storybook send off. The Washington Nationals now have a chance to do the same for Max Scherzer.
So, where has Max Scherzer been?
Since being dealt at the trade deadline in 2021 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Scherzer has been with the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and most recently the Toronto Blue Jays. He won the 2023 World Series with the Rangers. With the Blue Jays he endeared himself to that fanbase with his typical Mad Max fire and competitive spirit.
Why the Nationals should bring back Max Scherzer for one final year
At this point in his career, you cannot expect Scherzer to go out there and give you six innings with nine strikeouts every outing. He is not that kind of pitcher anymore. Father time is undefeated no matter how much of a fight you put up against it. Saying all that, I believe that there are three main reasons that signing Max Scherzer would benefit the Nationals in the long term.
In his final start of the 2026 season, he was given a great send off by Blue Jays fans. In true Scherzer fashion he jogged out to the mound on three days' rest just to pitch in front of the home team fans one last time. He screamed at Jays manager John Schneider that he was not done and was eventually taken out after 114 pitches and seven plus innings. That start epitomizes everything that Max Scherzer has come to represent.
1. Max Scherzer is a Winner
This is a very young Nationals team with a core of players that looks poised to take that next step. In sports you always hear the phrase you need to learn how to win. CJ Abrams is only 26, James Wood is 24, Brady House is 23, Daylen Lile is 23, Cade Cavalli is 28 but just completed his first full year in the MLB. Who better than Max Scherzer to teach these players that. Scherzer is a proven winner in terms of personal and team accolades. He has a track record for making teams better after he arrives.
2. Mentorship
Another reason would be everyone else on the roster watching Scherzer prepare for a start or maybe watching how serious he takes a bullpen. They would get to see what it takes to become the very best at what you do. I personally love the thought of Cade Cavalli and Connelly Early getting to pick his brain whenever. Just think of how much Scherzer could help someone like Jarlin Susana during spring training and potentially during the season if he is called up for his debut. Mad Max brings the locker room presence and veteran leadership that is needed for this young Nats team to take the next step.
3. The Fans
Max Scherzer is the greatest player in Washington Nationals history. When he signed in January of 2015 not one person could have thought he would go on to win two Cy Young awards, throw two no hitters, help lead the Nats to their first World Series championship in 2019, and become what will be the first player inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame with a curly W on his plaque. He became the face of the great Nationals teams that all Nats fans think back to when talking about the current team.
When he pitched against the Nationals in DC earlier this season there were some nice moments, but it would be really cool to give him a proper send off. A whole year celebrating him and what he accomplished in Washington DC. To a whole generation of Nats fans, he is Superman.
The Nationals recorded their lowest fan attendance since 2010 this season. A good step towards not repeating that next season would be bringing back Max Scherzer. The Lerner’s owe it to us, the fans, to allow one last celebration of the glory years of the Washington Nationals.
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