In 2014 the New York Yankees thought they had the pitching rotation to win them a World Series title. The team had won the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes and things were looking good. However, injuries ruined that effort as Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova were just a few of the players to end their seasons early and ruin the Yankees year. Now, the team is looking at all possible options with one of the biggest names on the market on their radar.
According to MLB agent Scott Boras, the Yankees would be wise to sign his client, Max Scherzer. The former Detroit Tigers pitcher is officially the biggest name on the market following the Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs deal and every team in need of a big arm is ready to negotiate. Boras believes the Yankees would be wise to be one of those teams.
"I can't predict what the Yankees are going to do," Boras said, via MLB.com. "But a guy like Max fits with their starting rotation to develop a World Series caliber set, similar to what they had in the past."
The chances Scherzer signs to the Tigers again are slim. The two sides have been attempting to negotiate a contract for the better part of a year, but Scherzer is not budging on his demands despite the seven-year, $160 million contract placed in front of him. It is unlikely the pitcher gets offered any more than the $155 million Lester inked in Chicago, but Boras will certainly try his best.
The Yankees need another quality starter. Scherzer would pair well with Tanaka as a one-two punch while Sabathia sits at the No. 3 spot. Last season, only Hiroki Kuroda and Tanka notched more than 10 wins. Brandon McCarthy was the only other starter to win more than five games. Kuroda is considering retirement since he is reaching 39. McCarthy is now with Dodgers after signing a four-year, $48 million contract. To Boras, that is the biggest selling point. If signed, the Yankees rotation would consist of Scherzer, Tanaka, Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Phelps until Nova returns from surgery.
The Yankees will spend big money, the question is whether or not it will be for a pitcher in his 30s.
"You tell all the teams and everyone involved that he can sign at any time. He's open to signing at any time," Boras said. "If we can get in a room and we carry out a negotiation and he's pleased with it, it can be done without notice at any time."
