Seven years after signing a $210 million deal with the Washington Nationals in free agency -- which we ranked as one of the greatest deals in MLB history -- Max Scherzer is again a free agent.
And even as he prepares for his age-37 season, Scherzer remains among the best arms in the sport.
In a season split between the Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, Scherzer posted a 2.46 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 5.4 fWAR across 179 1/3 innings, setting him up to cash in one last time.
Scherzer's market might be specific, as he seemingly pushed his way to California this past summer, reportedly being unwilling to waive his no-trade clause go to the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Perhaps you can't entirely rule out a contender like the Boston Red Sox successfully wooing Scherzer this offseason, but by all accounts, he's going to finish his career on the West Coast.
With Scherzer looking for a three-year deal per Audacy Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman and unable to receive a qualifying offer, here's four potential landing spots for him this winter:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Max Scherzer finished the 2021 season with the Dodgers.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesThough he wasn't able to pitch in the NLCS, Scherzer was a tremendous addition for the Dodgers, posting a 1.98 ERA in 11 regular season starts and coming in to close out an NLDS victory over the division-rival San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have to enter the offseason as the favorites for Scherzer.
Los Angeles Angels
Max Scherzer may very well remain in Los Angeles moving forward.(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)At the end of a disappointing 2021 season, Angels manager Joe Maddon told Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times that the team needed to add veterans "who are ready to win right now in that rotation." At the forefront of pitchers who fit that description this offseason in Scherzer, with Audacy Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman already suggesting that the Halos could challenge the Dodgers for him this offseason. With the Angels desperate not to waste any more time with Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon, don't rule out them blowing Scherzer away with an offer in free agency.
San Francisco Giants
Max Scherzer ended the Giants 2021 season.(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Sure, with the help of an awful call, Scherzer ended what had been an incredible 2021 season for the Giants. But Giants president of baseball operation Farhan Zaidi has said that retooling the team's starting rotation is this winter's "No. 1 priority." That could mean working to re-sign any of Kevin Gausman, Alex Wood and Anthony DeSclafani. But if the Giants get the sense that there's some blood in the water and they could sign Scherzer away from not only their biggest competition in their own division, but perhaps in the entire sport, they would be wise to pounce.
Seattle Mariners
Max Scherzer can become a free agent this offseason.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)To the surprise of many -- especially when you consider that they finished with a -51 run differential -- the Mariners went 90-72, narrowly missing their first playoff berth since 2001. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has already said that the team has "payroll flexibility" to work with this offseason, and Scherzer would slot very well atop the Mariners rotation with Chris Flexen. Scherzer may want to stay in California and/or sign with a more established contender, but his signing would signal the start of a new era in Seattle.
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