Four teams interested in Max Scherzer

With the rotation market moving faster than the rest of free agency, the number of unsigned starting pitchers is dwindling. Jack Flaherty, Nick Pivetta and potential mitigation conversion Jeff Hoffmann they are top of the class. Beyond that, teams are evaluating pitchers who will likely be limited to one- or two-year commitments.

Max Schezer could be the most intriguing of these short-term goals. The future Hall of Famer was limited to nine starts and 43 1/3 innings during his final season with the Rangers. Scherzer has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring. He will return for his age-40 season in hopes of a healthier and more productive season.

In a live stream for Bleacher Report this afternoon, Jon Heyman suggested that Scherzer is drawing interest from four teams. Heyman indicated that the market is “heating up a little bit,” so it’s possible the three-time Cy Young winner could come off the board in the relatively near future.

Scherzer opened the ’24 season on the injured list after finishing rehab from back surgery last December. Nerve irritation in his throwing hand delayed his return until late June. Scherzer made eight starts before returning to the bench with shoulder strain. This kept him out until September. His season ended after a further start due to a left hamstring strain.

A pitcher dealing with multiple injuries, including back surgery, at age 40 will obviously raise concerns. Scherzer is just one season removed from starting 30 games and going through 160 innings between the regular season and playoffs. He had topped 170 innings in every full schedule between 2009 and 21. Until last year, he had been incredibly durable.

Scherzer remains productive when he is able to pitch, though not at Cy Young level. He had a 3.77 ERA with a 28% strikeout rate between the Mets and Rangers in 2023. Last season, he allowed just under four earned runs per nine with a 22.6% strikeout rate. However, Scherzer still had plenty of chases and whiffs for every shot. His 14.6% swinging-strike percentage ranked fifth among starting pitchers with 40-plus innings. Only Blake Snell, Garrett crochet, Logan Gilbert AND Dylan Cease bats lost at a higher rate.

Aside from perhaps Flaherty, Scherzer arguably has the highest ceiling just for next season of any unsigned starter. There is also significant risk due to the recent spate of injuries. Scherzer will almost certainly be limited to a one-year contract, so the long-term downside is limited, but he should have a good salary.

Alex Cobb he got $15 million from the Tigers at the end of a season in which he combined for 23 innings between the regular season and playoffs. He recently turned 37 and doesn’t miss clubs nearly as well as Scherzer does. It’s obvious that Scherzer and his representatives at Boras Corporation will aim to beat Cobb’s money, perhaps in pursuit of a contract closer to $20 million.

Heyman’s report does not specify any of the teams involved in the race. Speculatively speaking, the Braves, Orioles, Blue Jays, Cubs, Nationals and Mets are among the teams that may have some room to spend and the desire for a short-term upside play. Scherzer won’t sign with a team that doesn’t have a path to contend with, but there are very few clubs truly rebuilding right now. Every team aside from Colorado, Miami and the White Sox could feel they have a path to a Wild Card berth.