With the first few games of Nationals Spring Training already in the books in West Palm Beach, one name hangs over CACTI Park like a ghost from the 2019 World Series team... Max Scherzer.
'Mad Max' is 41, a free agent, and has made it very clear he has no intention of retiring. While the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly in talks, the Nationals have been silent. But after the signing of Miles Mikolas, the logic for a Scherzer reunion hasn't just increased...it's become undeniable.
The front office backed the Mikolas signing by calling it a "stability" move. But if you're going to pay for a veteran arm on the decline, why would you pay for a #5 starter when you could pay for a Nationals legend with more gas in the tank?
Mikolas is a low-upside stabilizer. Scherzer, even at 41, is a cultural reset and steady veteran presence for an extremely young ballclub. Just take a look at what the Detroit Tigers did with Justin Verlander. The Nationals' clubhouse is currently a sea of young faces who have never seen what winning baseball looks like at the big-league level. Bringing back Max Scherzer isn't just about the 85 innings he can give you, it's about having the most intense competitor of a generation in the same bullpen or dugout as youngsters that could still proven to be long-term assets like Cade Cavalli or Josiah Gray, among others.
Losing MacKenzie Gore left a hole in this team and rotation's soul. Trading for five prospects is great sure, but the Nats now lack a true ace atop their rotation. By bringing Scherzer back on a one year deal, Paul Toboni could instantly give Nationals fans a reason to tune in or show up to the ballpark every 5th day as long as he remains healthy.
It's the ultimate PR win, but more importantly, it's a baseball win. Scherzer showed in the 2025 postseason for Toronto that he can still find that extra gear when the lights are bright, just as he did in 2019 for the Nats. If the Nationals are serious about turning the corner in 2026 from a cultural standpoint, they need someone who knows how to win.
The Nationals are already paying for innings eaters, so why not pay for the man who built the house? A one year deal for Scherzer gives him the chance to retire in the jersey he should have never taken off, while giving this young roster the mentor they actually need.