The Detroit Tigers have been big players already this offseason for better or worse, as the team has traded away Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler and also dealt Doug Fister and now the team could be trading again, as reports say that Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is in play for a deal as well with teams like the Reds, Orioles, Nationals, Pirates, Giants and Dodgers, who could deal Matt Kemp to the Tigers.
Scherzer was mentioned in numerous trade rumors right after the season ended, as the Tigers knew that they would have to sign him to a contract extension and with so much money tied up in other players, chances are it might not get done. Many writers in the media felt that the Fister and Fielder deals were to help free up money for Scherzer's extension, but not so fast, as Yahoo Sports reporter Jeff Passan says that the Tigers still could deal Scherzer and that he is "in play " this offseason.
Fox Sports is reporting that the Tigers and Scherzer are not close on a deal for an extension and one reason may be his high demands after winning the Cy Young this season. The team likely would want some young prospects in any deal and it actually might be a good move, as Scherzer would be leaving when his price tag is high and it could net a nice package for the team. Scherzer wants a contract extension after having a great season and one reason the Tigers are worried is that they will have a ton of money tied up in Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and Victor Martinez on top of Scherzer and that is why a deal could go down.
Jeff Samardzija is one of the other big names on the trade market along with David Price and the Tigers have to see what teams are willing to give up in trade packages if they want to deal for Scherzer. The Cy Young winner would be the second one to get traded in as many seasons along with RA Dickey and some teams that could be in the mix includes the Yankees, Reds, Orioles, Nationals, Pirates, Giants as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been reportedly shopping Matt Kemp and a new report from ESPN,.com says that the Tigers could be in play and that would be a massive deal after the team got rid of Fielder for Kinsler.
Someone like Kemp would make the Scherzer trade worth it for the Tigers and while Kemp is owed a decent amount of money moving forward, it might end up less than what Detroit would have to give Scherzer, as he is a Scott Boras client. The team traded Fister to save some money and now they could also deal Scherzer after he went 21-3 last season with 240 strikeouts and a 2.90 ERA while winning the Cy Young and he has career stats of 1069 Ks with a 73-45 record and a 3.67 ERA while playing for Arizona and Detroit. The 29-year-old will be making some moolah no matter where he goes.