Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer To Make A Decision Soon
By Max Rayman
Nationals Max Scherzer is close to finding a new home.
With the current CBA expiring December 1, teams and free agents are in a rush to get deals done before the impending lockout. Noah Syndergaard, Justin Verlander, Starling Marte, and Marcus Semien are just a few of the top free agents who have already found a home for 2022.
The hot stove is blazing and other high-end free agents including Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer are looking to sign before the month ends.
Scherzer is hands down the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market and is looking for an opportunity to win another ring. He is fresh off of a season with the Nats and Dodgers where he went 15-4, with a 2.46 ERA, 236 strikeouts, and a 2.97 FIP. Mad Max continued to avoid father time and finished third in NL Cy Young voting.
While it is very unlikely Scherzer returns to D.C., it is still important where he lands. The Angels, Giants, Dodgers, and Mets among other teams are all vying for the future Hall of Famers services.
Top free agent starter Max Scherzer is expected to make his decision before the impending Dec. 1 lockout. Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Mets among teams in.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 28, 2021
Scherzer staying in the NL or signing in the division would be bad news for Washington. Despite being in the midst of a rebuild, Scherzer stands as a massive hurdle to overcome in the postseason race and playoffs.
Steve Cohen and the Mets in particular are set on bolstering the rotation. In win-now mode, teaming up Scherzer with Jacob deGrom would go a long way to becoming World Series contenders.
Sources: Mets have offered Scherzer more than $40 million per year. Length unknown. Doesn’t mean he’ll sign there; that’s still unclear.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 29, 2021
The Giants and Dodgers both have holes in their rotation and adding Scherzer would make them World Series threats. For now, the Dodgers are still seen as favorites to re-sign their ace, but the Mets are making a serious case.
Over in the AL, the Angels have had rotation woes for years and are finally attempting to fix that issue. Regarding the Nationals, this would be the best landing spot for Scherzer as they wouldn’t have to deal with him unless they faced off in the World Series.
While other teams such as the Cardinals, Red Sox, and Yankees make sense as potential landing spots, it’s more than likely he stays on the West Coast.
Mets are aggressively pursuing Max Scherzer. However, considering his known preferences they understand they may need to go to plan B. Scherzer limited field to California as a trade piece and thrived in LA, so Mets know it won’t be easy. Gausman looks like their next option.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 28, 2021
Wherever Scherzer lands, it will impact the power scale of MLB.