Free agent pitcher Max Scherzer remains on the market and teams like the NY Yankees, LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants could be potential landing spots for the Scott Boras client, as the calendar is now into 2015 and he remains available in free agency along with James Shields.
Scherzer is looking for a massive contract and that is one reason why he remains on the market and as things push into the winter, teams could start getting closer to signing him. According to Hardball Talk, the Giants likely will not be one of those teams, as they are focused on filling holes around the infield and do not want to spend upwards of $160 million on a pitcher. Shields is another target for all the teams interested in Scherzer, as he is likely to come in at a lower price than Scherzer.
The Yankees have repeatedly said that they are not planning on dishing out another long term contract at a high figure, but Buster Olney and other reporters have written that the Yankees should never be counted out on players like Scherzer. While the team doesn't want to spend that kind of money, the Yankees desperately need a strong arm and that is why some think Shields could be an option. Shields is an innings eater and while he could cost over $100 million, he should sign for far less than Scherzer.
If Scherzer remains on the market for a while and his number goes down, the Yankees could get involved again, but right now it looks like they are not signing Scherzer. The Boston Red Sox have the money to spend, but they just traded for a bunch of starting pitchers, while the Cubs signed Jon Lester to a huge deal and likely are done with mega-contracts. The Tigers are always an option after the way they doled out money to Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, but they have David Price and likely will sit tight with what they have.
Hardball Talk reported that the Rangers, Angels and Cardinals also could have interest in Scherzer, but none of those teams are likely to jump in and sign him yet. Buster Olney wrote after the season that he felt the Dodgers, Angels, Yankees and Tigers would be options for Scherzer and right now he is waiting to see where the market goes. Shields hangs in the balance and any teams that miss out on Scherzer likely will go after Shields on the market.
Scherzer won the Cy Young two years ago and he comes in after going 18-5 last season with a 3.15 ERA and 252 strikeouts. Scherzer will be 31 in July and he has strong years ahead of him, but giving out $200 million to a pitcher is tough for any team. When he won the award Scherzer went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA and he bet on himself this year when he turned down an extension with the Tigers. Scherzer now is hoping to get his money on the market this offseason.
