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Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels among finalists for Max Scherzer

By Noah Yingling

Sep 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported on Sunday that free agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer is “expected to make his decision” on a new team before the CBA expires on Wednesday night. Heyman also notes that there are a handful of teams that are among the finalists for Scherzer, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels.

Scherzer, 37, has been one of the best starting pitchers in the last decade in baseball and all four of those teams and a few others would love to have Scherzer. But, despite his age, he will cost a lot of money for one team.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels are among finalists for Max Scherzer

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels are among finalists for Max Scherzer, who was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline this past season and he was exactly what they wanted. After going 8-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts with the Washington Nationals, he went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts with the Dodgers.

Scherzer also pitched well for the Dodgers in the postseason as in four games (three starts), he had an ERA of 2.16, holding opponents to just 10 hits in 16.2 innings.

MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Scherzer would return to the Dodgers on a record deal. They projected that he would get three years and $120 million, for an average annual value (AAV) of $40 million. That AAV would set the record for an AAV for any MLB player in history but if there is any player that is deserving of that, it is Scherzer.

Scherzer is an eight-time All-Star with three Cy Young Awards (2013, 2016, 2017). Beginning in 2013 and with the exception of 2020, Scherzer has been in the top five for Cy Young Award voting in each season, including six top three votes.

Scherzer also is (and has long been) one of the main player representatives for the MLBPA so he is playing a key role in their current labor negotiations with the owners.

Next. It's "Corey Seager or bust" for the Dodgers. dark

He and others, like fellow free agent starter, former San Francisco Giants starter Kevin Gausman, are looking to sign before the CBA expires on Wednesday night in what would be the first work stoppage/lockout since 1995.

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