Max Scherzer landing spots: 3 potential destinations for the 3x Cy Young Award-winning pitcher
It may not have been the 2024 campaign Max Scherzer was hoping for as several different injuries limited him to only 43.1 innings of work. While solid when he was healthy and on the field, arm fatigue, nerve issues and a hamstring injury limited his overall effectiveness for the Texas Rangers.
That being said, Scherzer is a future Hall of Famer for a reason. While 2024 was a bit of a disaster for the three-time Cy Young Award winner, he was solid in 2022 and 2023. Even though, his health will be a big question mark moving forward, especially because he is 40 years old.
Injuries aside, Scherzer will undoubtedly draw interest from contenders looking to bolster their pitching rotation. While Scherzer will likely need to settle on a one-year deal at this point of his career, he should have plenty of options this offseason.
Here's a look at three potential landing spots for Max Scherzer in free agency
#1 - New York Yankees
It's going to be an interesting offseason for the New York Yankees. The team's top priority will be re-signing outfielder Juan Soto. However, there are areas where they will need to improve upon, including pitching. Enter Scherzer, who could be an intriguing addition for the 2025 season.
There is no guarantee that Scherzer will be healthy all season long. However, the Yankees' championship window is open now, and they cannot afford to not pursue every option. He may no longer be a Cy Young Award candidate but can still be effective in stretches.
#2 - Philadelphia Phillies
Much like the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the middle of their championship window. Unlike the Yankees, if Scherzer were to come to Philadelphia, he could have a less prominent role, which could help keep him healthy. Scherzer could be used at the back of the rotation and wouldn't necessarily need to pitch long into games.
The fact that Dave Dombrowski was the president and general manager during Scherzer's tenure with the Detroit Tigers could help open the door for a potential reunion.
#3 - Detroit Tigers
Who doesn't love a reunion? The Detroit Tigers could be an intriguing dark horse landing spot for Scherzer. It was with the Tigers that Scherzer developed into one of the best pitchers in baseball. It was also the place where he won his first Cy Young Award.
There is a chance that 2025 could be the final season for Scherzer, so bringing him back to where he became a superstar could be a fitting ending to a legendary career. Plus, with the Tigers reaching the playoffs last year, adding a proven veteran on a short-term deal could help them return to the dance again.