Having lost seven of their last 10 and sitting seven games out of first place, the Nationals have reportedly engaged in trade talks for Max Scherzer.
According to Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman, Washington is discussing the star pitcher in trade talks, but still looking into situations where the team could either buy or sell. The club decided to upgrade in 2019 despite a rough start to the season, and it ended in a World Series title, but the team’s recent play could lead them in a new direction this week, with the trade deadline just six days away.
Scherzer, in the final year of his seven-year, $191.4 million deal, can veto any trade, which his agent Scott Boras said he will do unless he receives a contract extension. Scherzer, just days away from his 37th birthday, has hardly shown signs of aging this season, pitching to a 2.83 ERA in 105 innings, while earning his eighth straight All-Star selection.
This would be the sixth time in the last seven years that Scherzer has posted an ERA below three, the lone outlier coming in the shortened 2020 season.
Scherzer would immediately become the top starting pitcher on the market if the Nationals decide to move him.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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