Max Scherzer is now the top free agent pitcher on the market with Jon Lester signed in Chicago and teams like the LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, NY Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox could be options for the star, as he is looking for a $200 million contract on the market with agent Scott Boras leading the charge.
Lester was expected to be the first pitcher to sign among Scherzer and James Shields and now the market has been set, leaving Scherzer to look for his major deal. Scherzer surprised some by rejecting a $144 million extension earlier this year from the Tigers and now teams will be turning to him as they look for a high-profile pitcher. The Dodgers had been mentioned in the Lester talks and they could jump in on Scherzer, while the Tigers, Yankees, Cardinals and Red Sox also could be interested.
The Yankees have stayed out of the big money contracts this year so far, but one source said to not count the team out when it came to Scherzer. The Yankees just lost David Robertson to the White Sox and now the team has Andrew Miller as the top arm in the bullpen. Brian Cashman could dole out a huge contract, as the team has the money and they have a need at starting pitcher as well. CC Sabathia is getting older and Masahiro Tanaka is coming in after having elbow issues last year.
The Tigers, Yankees and Diamondbacks pulled off a trade recently that got the Tigers Shane Greene and while he is no Scherzer, he is at least another arm in the rotation if they need it. David Price was acquired last season and he could help replace Scherzer if the Tigers let him sign elsewhere. According to Hardball Talk, the Tigers are willing to spend "big" money to keep Scherzer and if they meet his demands, he likely will stay there. Greene is a solid option after the way he pitched last season, but he is not a Cy Young winner like Scherzer is.
The Yankees missed the playoffs last season once again and dealt with numerous injuries and adding Scherzer would be a big surprise. The team has been looking to add more pitching, but after signing Tanaka last season and the trio of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, it would be a surprise to see the team shell out $200 million again. The Dodgers have Zack Greinke but he has a contract option coming up, while the Cardinals and Red Sox also have the money to spend on Scherzer if they want to.
The Tigers are looking to keep Scherzer, but after he rejected that earlier deal, they may move on and they also have David Price to help replace him at least for one more year. All those teams are options for Scherzer, who likely will wait to get the contract he wants and now that Lester has signed, he could be the next domino to fall.
