9:47PM: The Dodgers remain in the mix for Scherzer but are “not the favorites at the moment,” as per Jorge Castillo of The Los Angeles Times. Indeed, there are “growing indications” that the Mets will sign Scherzer, as per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, with the New York Post’s Joel Sherman adding that Scherzer and the Mets have made progress towards an agreement.
8:47PM: The Mets have offered Scherzer a multi-year contract, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, that could be a three-year, $120MM pact.
7:16PM: The Mets’ offer to Scherzer has an average annual value of more than $40MM, according to Martino, but the length of the offer isn’t known. This would represent the largest AAV for any player in baseball history.
6:58PM: The Dodgers “are perceived as the favorite” to sign Scherzer, Heyman tweets. However, the “Mets’ full attention at [the] moment” is directed at Scherzer. If Scherzer does sign elsewhere, New York will likely turn its attention towards Gausman as the backup plan. SNY’s Andy Martino writes that the Mets hope to have either Scherzer or Gausman signed within the next 24 hours.
11:54AM: Max Scherzer is expected to make a decision about where to play next year before the impending lockout, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Heyman lists the Dodgers, Giants, Angels and Mets as some of the teams that are under consideration.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLB and MLBPA expires at 11:59 pm ET on December 1, with the general expectation being that a lockout and transaction freeze will then be implemented if no new deal is in place at that time. That has led to a flurry of activity in recent weeks, as many teams, agents and players seemingly prefer to get their business done now as opposed to waiting until some undetermined date when the lockout is finished. It would appear that Scherzer is in that camp.
The starting pitching market has easily been the busiest so far this year, as Eduardo Rodriguez, Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Verlander, Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Andrew Heaney and Michael Wacha have all signed in the past two weeks, with Corey Kluber also signing today. Kevin Gausman is also reportedly planning on signing in the coming days.
Scherzer’s free agency is a very unique case, given his elite skill level and relatively older age, compared to the other top names on the free agent market. Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray, the only two hurlers ahead of Scherzer on MLBTR’s list of Top 50 Free Agents, are both currently 30 years old, whereas Scherzer turned 37 in July. But given his tremendous track record of success in his career, his prediction was for a much higher salary on an annual basis, $120MM over three years, AAV of $40MM. That would be a new high for AAV across the league, breaking Gerrit Cole’s record of $36MM. Gausman and Ray, on the other hand, were predicted to get to the vicinity of $25MM annually, but each over a longer term than Scherzer.
Scherzer already has an incredible career resume, with 14 seasons of quality work, including eight All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, a World Series championship and various other accolades. In 2021, he logged 179 1/3 innings between the Nationals and Dodgers. His 2.46 ERA was the lowest of his career. His 34.1% strikeout rate and 5.2% walk rate were both much better than league average. In short, he would be a huge upgrade for any team in the league. But if he’s going to cost around $40MM per year, budgetary concerns will make him a better fit on some teams than others.
The Mets have already been throwing lots of money around, as they recently signed Mark Canha, Starling Marte and Eduardo Escobar. That spending spree has pushed their 2022 payroll to $225MM, per Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. That’s already well beyond last year’s opening day payroll of $195MM, which was itself a franchise high, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. To add someone like Scherzer would require pushing their previous boundaries even further.
The Angels also ran a franchise-high payroll on opening day last year, getting up to almost $182MM, per Cot’s. For 2022, they’re currently sitting at $157MM, per Martinez, about $25MM shy of last year. Adding Scherzer would likely involve blowing past that number, as well as changing their previous avoidance of giving out contracts of any kind of length to starting pitchers. As recently explored by MLBTR’s Steve Adams, they haven’t given a starting pitcher a deal longer than one year since Joe Blanton way back in 2012, and even that was just two years.
The Giants have lots of payroll space, but also lots of holes to fill. Cot’s pegs their 2021 opening day number just shy of $150MM, but they’ve been as high as $200MM before, in 2018. They’re currently sitting around $115MM for next year, per Martinez, but still have many areas of need. Their rotation lost four members from 2021, and though they’ve since re-signed Anthony DeSclafani, they still need to replace Alex Wood, Kevin Gausman and Johnny Cueto. (It was reported a week ago that Wood was close to deal to return, though it doesn’t seem to have been finalized yet.) They could also use a right-handed outfielder, having already been connected to Starling Marte and Seiya Suzuki. It seems more likely that they would spread their budget around to multiple arms, but if they want to make a run at a huge name like Scherzer, they have a payroll situation that could make it doable.
As for the Dodgers, whom acquired Scherzer at last year’s trade deadline, their opening day payroll in 2021 was almost $248MM, per Cot’s, easily the highest such number in the league. They’re currently sitting over $205MM for next year, according to Martinez, and could welcome Scherzer back into the fold if they’re willing to spend at similar levels this year.
Zerbs63
Going to Dodgers
Bill M
Probably. But it should be a fun 24 hours.
kobo77
Not after Robert’s was fondling him and made scherzer so mad it made his blood turn to lava lmao
stewartnbuck
no real man likes getting slapped in the a$$ bye another man
Chipper Jones' illegitimate kid
Y’all weird
RunDMC
You’re definitely towel whip target #1 of every locker room you’ll walk into.
fox471 Dave
Stewart, no real man pays attention to another man slapping the third man on the rear (in baseball).
C-Daddy
I’m the realest of men and I love a good cheek slap.
JeffreyChungus
It’s true C-Daddy and I slap cheeks all the time and it’s like second nature now
Al Hirschen
Barry Svrluga
@barrysvrluga
·
7m
There are some MLB execs guessing the favorite for Max Scherzer is the — get this — Mets. And that he’s definitely getting three years— and possibly four.
Al Hirschen
METS. $$$$$$$$$$$
Al Hirschen
The talk is that the Mets are talking 40 -50 mil per year. Uncle Steve
VonPurpleHayes
Lol. That would be ridiculous.
deweybelongsinthehall
I still think east coast teams are being used. While Cohen’s money could awaken a dead whale, how much does Max really need? I still would love him Boston but he made it clear last year he wanted to go west. Thus, I see him returning to LA.
802Ghost
As a Braves fan, I hope the Mets do do that. It’ll make another Division Title for Atlanta sweeter.
ham77
“…Mets do do”. I see what you did there.
VonPurpleHayes
Mets and Phillies setting records for money spent while not making the playoffs.
Smacky
Braves haven’t had any major problems w/ Scherzer and that includes the rebuild years.
He’s 10-9 w/ a 3.88 ERA against them. He ain’t getting younger and the last time we saw him he was missing a start b/c of a dead arm.
The other thing you need to consider is the Mets are the, and it’s probably totally random, the killers of pitchers. Pitchers go to the Mets to break.
fox471 Dave
Never happen.
wildboyz
With the uncertainty surrounding Kershaw, I don’t see how or why they would not do whatever it takes to resign Mad Max.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Because they would rather keep Seager.
Al Hirschen
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
·
1m
#Mets were willing to guarantee Bauer 3-$105M with $40M in each of 1st 2 yrs. If a team were willing to give $80M in 1st 2 years to Bauer, wouldn’t they do at least 2-$80M for Scherzer? The AAV record is the $36M the #Yankees are paying Cole. That seems certain to fall here
FredMcGriff for the HOF
Didn’t Trevor Bauer already break the 40 million AAV?
48-team MLB
I think the $17 million option in year three lowered the AAV significantly.
Al Hirschen
Uncle Steve we love you YOU DID IT!!!!!
junkmale
Another lockout, eh? Great look as always, pro sports. Do they want more money to be mediocre?
swinging wood
Every person on Earth wants more money. Don’t be silly.
Joe says...
It’s why Canada went on strike.
Chev Chelios
Scherzer signs with…..LAD or SF
Joe says...
Angels is my guess. I’m probably wrong.
Chev Chelios
Arte Moreno would botch a Scherzer signing like he botched a Cole signing. The dude only loves hitters…
Halo11Fan
He didn’t botch the Cole signing. Cole ERA the second half of the season was over 4.
With Cole pitches with sticky stuff, Cole was a Hall of Fameer. When he has pitched without sticky stuff, he’s a number two… maybe.
With Pittsburg his ERA was 3.5. The Angels dodged that bullet. Just like they dodged the Bauer bullet.
i like al conin
Not true Chev. The Angels made him a really good offer before the Yankees went over-market.
Chev Chelios
Sorry dude but that’s not the only example of Arte messing things up. I’m a Cowboys fan and take it from me, when an owner is too involved in playing GM and deciding on transactions things will fall apart.
It’s a complete joke the possibly greatest player in the history of baseball (Trout) hasn’t won a playoff game. That falls on the owner that is too involved in baseball affairs. Moreno is one of the worst owners in baseball, hands down.
I guarantee you that you and most Anaheim fans would take Cole right now with his current deal.
i like al conin
Yep, you’re a Cowboys fan so you don’t follow the Angels closely. Arte is trying. Did he make some mistakes? Sure, but over half the teams would love an owner who spends and wants to win. You have to remember they signed Pujols and Hamilton after they could not get any good hitting. Fans forget that. It was the opposite as now when they only had good SP. And Trout? He’s only 30. The media is obsessed with his playoff record. He has plenty of time.
Chev Chelios
Owners should be getting involved dude…that’s what the FO is for
Arte cannot help himself which is why they will continue to fail
Nuff said
Angels & NL West
Artie and Jerry are two peas in a pod. Both have been overly involved in decision making best left to the grown ups in the room. Having said that, I did not want the Angels to sign Cole at the Yankees price two years ago and I do not want him currently given the number of years left on the contract and AAV. Nor do I want the Angels to sign Scherzer at 3 years,$120mm.
Chev Chelios
Glad you are reasonable and get it. Owners should stay in their lane. Twitter is showing that Arte is talking to Cincy about Castillo…wonder what it’ll take to land him in a trade.
bernbabybern
This is an ignorant take. Cole pitched well after the sticky ban, his decrease in performance correlated with his later hamstring injury.
itstimefordodgersbaseball
Dude stop acting like you wouldn’t have been happy if the Angels did sign Cole or Bauer when it’s been YEARS since your team has had an actual ace. The fact is the Angels are incompetent when it comes to pitching and can’t develop their own arms when that is clearly the key to success. That is part of the reason established arms clearly don’t want to pitch for that organization. It takes more then just one or two arms and they can’t all be free agents.
Chev Chelios
Yep…like I said I know all Anaheim fans would love to have Cole on their team right now even at the contract he has
fox471 Dave
I agree that Trout is one of the best ever. However, he is an employee. I am amazed at fans who are so worried about the team not getting into the playoffs? Isn’t that partially Trout’s fault, as well?
i like al conin
Chev, you don’t know to what extent Arte has been involved the last few years. And again, I’ll take an owner who spends and tries to win over what most teams have. Ask Pirates fans who they prefer
Riggosmohawk
Plenty of time huh. Just ask Dan Marino if he has time left.
iverbure
If much rather a owner who is seen not heard. I’ll take a owner who provides a 80 million payroll with the ability to go up a bit with a stellar team who’s quote and leaves every baseball decision up to the baseball ops people then a owner who’s loud and outspoken and provides 150 million payroll. The quote owner wins before the loud hands on owner every single time.
RyÅnWKrol
You can make a case out of that because Trout does have a history of peaking around June and then slumping in August and September. 2015 and 2017 are seasons where the Angels had a chance to sneak in and Trout was striking out in many key situations down the stretch. How many times have we seen the media talk about him being on pace for possibly his best season, and then he always lands right at the same value every year? I’m not bagging on Trout, it’s just that even the best player in the game has his weaknesses. Still, anytime a team falls short of the playoffs, the first thing I look at is 9th inning blown saves that led to losses. Angels have had plenty of those to go around since K-Rod left.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Two posts ago you said “owners should be getting involved” now you say the exact opposite. Maybe a typo?
Yankee Clipper
Manny, you crack me up, man. Lol.
GeoKaplan
“Twitter is showing Arte is talking to Cincy about Castillo…”
This is like one of those Highlights drawings with “Find 5 Things Wrong With This Picture.” If you’re using Twitter as a factual reference—you know, the place where Rosenthal, Passan, Sherman, et al are regularly spoofed with bogus, lookalike Twitter accounts, spreading misinformation for kicks—then you deserve the ridicule which goes with repeating anything so easily false. Yes. Moreno got involved with big signings like Pujols and Trout, because of the huge sums of money involved. But he would have no role in trying to negotiate a deal with the Reds for Castillo, Gray, or anyone else. To be blunt, his time is worth far more than using it in a routine player swap.
You’re free to dislike the guy, but there is zero call for simply repeating easily disproven crap because someone posted it on Twitter.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Arte like future Hall of Famera when their best years are gone. Not sure if Max is there for a couple years he looked good in regular season except for the Daniel Camarena at-bay.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Did you mean to say “not”?
frankiegxiii
I’m interested in hearing how the Angels not making the playoffs is partially Trout’s fault. I’m sure if even half the lineup had stats like his they’d at least be annual wild card contenders
beachmonkey44
Give me an example of Arte Moreno being ‘too involved’.
Roger71
A lot!!
MLB Top 100 Commenter
By all accounts, the Pujols decision was all Arte. By all accounts, the Rendon decision was all Arte.
Baseball 1600
For some reason I really doubt the Giants are really that serious about him but I’d gladly take him here in SF
kobo77
Oh they are serious! The were there at the trade deadline and after the loss in game 5 of the division series Larry Baer came out to the field and shook his hand and said something to him. Plus it fits Zaidi desire to sign shorter term! I would really keep an eye on this one for sure!
Tcsbaseball
Baseball always fails to see the bigger picture. Just like last year during covid, MLB could Have been the first major sport back on tv but failed to do so arguing about pay and the number of games .. I love baseball always will but if they lockout and/or strike it will kill the game. Basketball and football have already shot way past mlb and this would be a further blow
allweatherfan
A lockout on Dec. 1st doesn’t mean there will be a delay in starting Spring Training or the season.
Halo11Fan
A lockout will not kill the game, it will be forgotten. Do you remember the last lockout?
A strike like 1981 and 1994 will kill the game. This has to be worked out before the players kill the season. The players kill seasons, the owners don’t.
BravesNomad
You’re kidding right? It takes both sides to come to a mutual agreement. I clearly remember the 94 strike and if it wasn’t for the McGwire/Sosa race a couple of seasons later baseball wouldn’t be back to where it is now. There were a lot of diehard fans that NEVER returned to the game after that. Another long lockout could push people further away.
NativeAmerican
The NBA is a joke. No one I know watches it any more. Even the bars don’t show it much. Baseball is king during the summer.
SoCalADRL
NBA is the worst product in sports. Zero parity. Regular season is meaningless. No defense. They sit around play one on one and shoot 40 3s a game. All of them are soft. Not the nba of the 80s, 90s or even 00s.
If mlb knew how to market their product or if espn gave Baseball any sort of attention like they do the nba, it’d likely be well ahead of basketball.
Tcsbaseball
@native the NBA is a joke but it’s still watched more than the mlb. It’s more popular worldwide and it didn’t use to be
thickiedon
Because basketball is played worldwide vs baseball being rather limited to the Western Hemisphere
itstimefordodgersbaseball
Basketball is not more popular then baseball in the States so I don’t get how you can say they “shot” way past MLB but okay. NBA is more “woke” then MLB but that’s about it
LordD99
He’s returning to the Dodgers.
stewartnbuck
agreed
fox471 Dave
Agreed.
JeffreyChungus
agreed
Vizionaire
let’s go angels!
Camden453
So, Scherzer to the Dodgers
giant4life
This is the biggest no brainer in the market. Pay that man his money and you will not regret it. Too bad FZ has such a low limit on his CC otherwise he would be perfect in SF!
ABStract
No likes for your bad takes per usual…
giant4life
Oh snap! So you don’t want Scherzer on the Giants? It’s only money which they have a ton of. Is it wrong for me as a fan to expect them to spend some of that money to actually improve the team? Why does it bother you so much that I criticize a guy who is ownerships little puppet who’s primary goal over the last 3 years has been to lower payroll? Where is all that money they used to spend on players going??
foppert
Lots more coaches and fancy pitching machines. Less money spent on the players, more money spent on their preparation, seems to have been the direction. Give it a chance. It’s going ok.
to4
If he signs with the Mets. that’s a deadly duo if healthy !!!
DeGrom and Scherzer in the same rotation ?
Imagine if they decide to get greedy and add Kershaw as well !!!
That trio could do some serious damage if healthy !
A big IF, but u would take my chances !!!
Camden453
Yeah but DeGrom can probably not pitch much anymore and Scherzer will probably not go to the Mets and Kershaw goes back to LA
fox471 Dave
Well, other than that, of course.
Chev Chelios
Sorry dude, Scherzer is staying on the west coast. Watch out for Gausman though because I think the Mets money-whip that dude.
rememberthecoop
What does “Chev” stand for? Sorry but I’m curious. Chevrolet? As in, Corvette – my favorite ride?
Chev Chelios
Urban Dictionary: chev is an adjective meaning: cool, awesome, nice, sweet, etc. it means the noun is amazingly kick-a**. derived from chevrolet’s chevelle.
In reality I got this nearly 15 years ago after the character in Crank
fox471 Dave
Chevette?
Yankee Clipper
Ohhhh man, I miss my Chevelle. Loved that car, but you couldn’t marry cars a few years back.
Fox471: Don’t diss a Chevette. Those things are fun in the snow; you can beat it mercilessly and it just keeps going.
FredMcGriff for the HOF
@yankee. Just seen a chevette blasting around the small Nebraska town I live in loud muffler and all. Haven’t seen one on the road in years. Almost 30 years ago one of my friends had one and drove it hard, it was rather fun.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Or not.
Enrico Pallazzo
Kershaw is staying in LA or maybe going back to his hometown to play for the Rangers. Zero chance he goes to Mets. I’m sure Cohen will find a reason to be upset and cry about it though.
Bill M
Nice take.
Wrong, but nice.
Al Hirschen
LFGM
Camden453
We need a lockout every year that way free agency gets done
i like al conin
Haha so true
rememberthecoop
Yeah it’s been fun so far…
baseballguy_128
isn’t that the truth
bobtillman
We need a poll. Who ya got, Pirates or Orioles?
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Very stylish, Bob
Camden453
@lefty and nobody’s ever thought of that before
Kevin28786
So if 37% of a title cost the Dodger$ around $225 million annualized, that would mean a real title would cost them in excess of $600 million. Go for it, Dodger$!! BTW, Roberts is possibly the worst manager in the majors, but I’m sure that’s OK with the Dodger$.
myaccount2
I’m no Dodgers fan but this comment reeks of jealousy.
rememberthecoop
Calling him the worst manager is hyperbole at best. Does he have faults? Absolutely. But most fans who watch most every game feels that way about their teams manager. Handling the bullpen is tough and few do it well. I feel the best managers are Tito, Cora, Melvin & Hinch.
Kevin28786
I’m a Braves fan. I’m far from jealous. Max couldn’t even pitch in the NLCS and Roberts is a horrible manager, but pay Scherzer $40 million per year. PLEASE!!
VinScullysSon
Your math skills are as bad as your opinions.
differentbears
“Hello, my name is Firstname Bunchofnumbers and I have some incredibly inane opinions.”
fox471 Dave
Dumb take, Kevin!
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Roberts does a good job and post-season rotation decisions may have been made at a level above him.
Kevin28786
LMAO. Roberts literally destroyed any chance the 37 percenters had against the Braves with his stupid moves! I thank God for Dave Roberts every day man!!
moe 3
Cardinals!!
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Would make sense, actually. But We havent seen much written about that
i like al conin
Reminder: the Angels offered Gerrit Cole a market-based long multi-year contract.
5toolMVP
What was the Angels offer to Cole again? 8/290? Or 9/290? I remember is was third after the Dodgers and Yankees.
i like al conin
Yeah, the Dodgers were around 8/300 and the Angels a bit under 8/300. Both would have been records for a SP. The Yankees did 9 and more dollars.
yanks2323
Watching other teams get stronger makes me happy. Cashman has to go
Milwaukee-2208
Need a tissue?
bigdaddyhacks
Let Seattle shock the nation. Please….
Chev Chelios
Hahaha you’re hopes and dreams are about to be shattered
bigdaddyhacks
Oh the hopes and dreams are low bro.
Chev Chelios
Yeah that’s probably true. At least Seattle looks like they’re gonna compete for a while. I think they should trade for Buxton.
DarkSide830
please not Mets
solaris602
I don’t see a scenario where he doesn’t return to the Dodgers. However, they do have other holes to fill while they figure out what to do with Bellinger. Maybe signing Ray and dealing for one of OAK’s available SPs would be a better allocation of resources.
baseballjunkie22
Is Cashman still sleeping from Thanksgiving dinner? The Yankees have been silent…..
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Yankees often pounce when you least expect it.
baseballjunkie22
The leftovers on the market could be scarce….you think they are banking on the trade market?
Not many assets to trade!
Central Valley
No way in F is Scherzer going to the Mets. My guess he stays with the Dodgers. Giants are probably a long shot.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
As a Met fan I agree. But it would be nice to see him in Queens
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Wrong
shane
And here I thought he’d retire after the nationals contract with all that deferred money.
solaris602
Right? On top of what he gets in the next couple days he has $15M a year coming to him from WAS for the next 4 or 5 years.
twoseamer
Trout, Ohtani, Scherzer, Syndergaard, Rendon, Walsh- all healthy
Chev Chelios
And yet they’re still screw it up
The curse of Arte Moreno is alive and well
AgeeHarrelsonJones
No solid evidence that Thor is healthy. Two innings is a tiny sample.
More importantly, his me first body building attitude does not help teams win. As a Met fan, I’ve had a fair amount of experience watching Thor, Harvey, and Wheeler – all of whom (unlike deGrom) were highly touted prospects. Of the three, the only prospect who did not have obvious psychological issues was Wheeler.
Dustyslambchops23
You’re an obvious psychological issue
Spare Tire Dixon
Dodgers make the most sense. Perennial World Series favorites at the end of Max’s career. They have the need, the resources, and the CA market Scherzer seems to prefer.
baseballguy_128
If the Mets don’t get Scherzer will Cohen throw a fit like he has before
AgeeHarrelsonJones
No
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Only if Max has 40 m AAv from Dodgers and tells Cohen he would love to pitch in NY for 45 m AAV and then uses Mets offer to get 45 AAV from Dodgers or Angels.
M.C.Homer
Speaking of the Angels…
No one here has brought up the Angels use a 6 man rotation.
That’s gotta be a tough sell in some cases…no?
I would guess this limits the Angels opportunities in the starting pitching market.
Made sense for Thor this year, what about mad Max and the others?
i like al conin
Really good point.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Met fan here. I’d be shocked if Scherzer went to an East coast team, but if he signed with the Mets I like this rotation:
Sherzer deGrom Walker Hill Magill
I think Hill re-ups if Max signs.
And I prefer Mad Max to Stro
A fan could dream!
SheaGoodbye
Not a bad rotation by any means, but Hill’s injury history is a little concerning to slot in as a #4 guy. Granted, MeGill could make him more of a #5. But with Scherzer and DeGrom coming off of dead arm/injury, I think I’d like a more dependable arm back there. If it’s Stroman instead maybe you go with Hill.
andsc
Lots of free agents have already signed with teams, and several big names including Scherzer and Gausman saying they will announce their decisions in the next couple of days.
Last year free agency was very slow at the start of the off-season. This year is the complete opposite!
Maybe there should be a looming threat of a work stoppage EVERY year to heat up the “hot stove”! LOL
RandalGrichuksStubble
Welcome to Toronto Max!!!
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Can’t see him signing anywhere other than the Dodgers.
metsfn817
Gausman and Scherzer are using the Mets for leverage . Just like Bauer did last year.
CNichols
I’m good with NYM jacking the prices up on LAD and SF. If those teams are going to get their guys at least they’re going to have to pay a premium for it and they’ll have less money to spread around elsewhere.
Orel Saxhiser
With Scherzer or without, those teams will still be better than the Mets. Have you noticed which teams are making the biggest splash in free agency? It’s not the well-run teams. It’s the desperate ones. We’ve seen it all before. And we know how that tends to turn out.
Old York
Well, at least we now know there will be a lockout. Thanks for letting us know.
deano 2
Wonder if Dodgers need Bauer situation to be finalized before they can bring back Max?
BlueSkies_LA
It sure would help, but no. Probably that situation isn’t fully resolved for years.
PutPeteinthehall
Good question. I’d believe there will be some kind of resolution or status change between the league and Bauer so LAD can get out of paying him. He’s toast. Expect him to eventually be playing overseas
Also two horse race between SF and LAD for Max. Interesting that he wants to sign before the lockout. He’s a players union rep so he must know something.
Old York
Absolutely ridiculous. He was found not guilty. Would be a terrible idea to not let him pitch in 2022.
Orel Saxhiser
There was no trial. Besides, a court judgment isn’t needed for a person to lose their job. A Major League Baseball player is no different. Read MLB’s Domestic Abuse Policy in its entirety. A policy that, by the way, is the result of collective bargaining between MLB and the MLBPA. Mechanisms are certainly in place to keep Bauer from the game.
baseballpun
Unless I missed some recent news, I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been “found not guilty.”
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
He wasn’t found “not guilty”
People took a civil court judge’s off the cuff statement out of context and parroted it all over the place.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
They denied a restraining order which only means a judge thinks he is unlikely to again attack the prior victim.
He is innocent until proven guilty, has not yet been tried, and has admitted to some conduct that would appear to be criminal but denied other aspects of it.
BlueSkies_LA
Trust me, no resolution is forthcoming. Best case scenario for the Dodgers, Bauer is charged by the LA Co. DA and they can stop paying him, but that seems unlikely. More likely the commissioner hands down a long suspension under the MLB-MLBPA joint policy, Bauer becomes the first player to not accept the penalty and sues both MLB and the union. This will probably go on for years. A lot of damage might very well be done to baseball, but Bauer won’t care, because he thinks he’s special.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Most likely, Bauer pleas to a lesser charge, there is a settlement that gets him a small part of the money for 2022, and he agrees to go away with a one to two year suspension. He then possible finds an overseas team to take him where, while he is a disgusting pig, he pitches reasonably well.
Old York
He is expecting to pitch in 2022.
Camden453
6 years at $35m per year should get it done for the Mets
Nobody at age 36 is going to pass up a 6 year, 210 million deal
Orel Saxhiser
He’s 37, not 36, and will turn 38 next July 27.
Get Off My Mound
Even though Lol Mets, imagine how much the baseball world would explode if Scherzer signed wtih the Mets…
48-team MLB
As long as my Braves get another title by 2025 then I really don’t care what happens in this free agency circus.
Central Valley
Zero doubt that the Giants ownership is telling Farhan Zaidi, “Whatever it takes. Make Scherzer happen.”
I love Logan Webb, but not sure I want him as our #1 just yet.
MikeKush20
Angels sign Max Scherzer 3 years 150 mil.
Angels sign Marcus Stroman 3 years 70 mil.
rhswanzey
Let’s get a quick update on what the Orioles have reaped from 1.5 years of Kevin Gausman:
JC Encarnacion – 13 PA above A ball headed into age 24 season
Brett Cumberland – hit .187 with a 32.2 K% rate in his first year of AAA at age 26
Bruce Zimmerman – accumulated .3 WAR in 16 MLB appearances between 2020-2021; entering age 27 season with two more years until arbitration
Evan Phillips – accumulated .5 WAR in two years of relief before being released after the 2020 season
Orel Saxhiser
I’m hoping some team other than the Dodgers signs him. Scherzer turns 38 next July. It seems to me like he would be a bad investment.
48-team MLB
Here’s my prediction.
Scherzer to Phillies
12 years/$848 million
VonPurpleHayes
Lol no.
Yankee Clipper
Wow, I’m guessing with an AAV of over 40M the Mets are offering a 2-year deal. I can’t see them going to $130MM, with their other needs, for Scherzer. But, one never knows.
Orel Saxhiser
Yankee Clipper, Get ready for the Worst Team Money Can Buy 2.0.
jvent
I know Scherzer is the BIG get, but with the Mets rotation problems, with the $$ spent on Scherzer for a few mill more they can get Gausman and either resign Stroman or sign Gray or Ray ?
Can have : deGROM,Scherzer,Carrasco,Walker and Megill. OR
deGrom,Gausman,Stroman,Carrasco,Walker
VonPurpleHayes
40mm lol. Cohen is ridiculous. Mets fans are going to love and hate this guy.
Orel Saxhiser
With that dead arm of his, it will take Scherzer 45 minutes to sign his name on the contract.
SheaGoodbye
It’s sad how many fans get swayed simply by the act of spending money, as if that requires any sort of skill. I’ve lost count of the number of fans I’ve seen who literally only care about him spending lots and lots of money.
To be clear, it’s great that Cohen is willing to spend on the team especially after dealing with the Wilpons, but that’s not going to automatically impress me. What I value most are smart transactions and a well-run organization. Of course, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Still not convinced Cohen isn’t a meddler or knows how to hire competent people, but time will tell. And unfortunately, recent events have not inspired a ton of confidence on those fronts. So my fellow Mets must forgive me for not jumping for joy at the simple act of money being spent. Not to sound overly negative lol.
FWIW I do think the moves we’ve made thus far have been pretty solid on the surface. That said, I haven’t really dug into the profiles of these guys to truly have an informed opinion. Marte’s age and reliance on athleticism do concern me, though.
VonPurpleHayes
Yea. I just think the Mets would get more value out of Stroman and another pitcher. Max will be 40 and still under contract for 40MM+. Mets rotation is full of injury risks. You’d think they’d go for safer bets. Cohen loves those headlines though. I will say, I think this moves puts them ahead of the Phillies. As for the Braves, we know how this story goes.
17dizzy
Lordy— can we get back to talking Baseball???
MikeKush20
Scherzer, Stroman, Ohtani, Thor, Suarez, Sandoval
James1955
I predict Scherzer gets 3 years, 120 mil and signs with the Dodgers or Giants. He wants to play for a team with a chance to make it to the WS and he wants to play on the West Coast.
48-team MLB
He should hold out for the Las Vegas Vipers expansion franchise…or the Portland Thunderbirds.
17dizzy
If Baseball is permitting Gambling—— Why isn’t Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame???
Al Hirschen
Barry Svrluga
@barrysvrluga
·
7m
There are some MLB execs guessing the favorite for Max Scherzer is the — get this — Mets. And that he’s definitely getting three years— and possibly four.
coolhandneil
Players still aren’t allowed to gamble.
VonPurpleHayes
Because Rose bet on games he played in and managed, effectively rigging the outcome. I think he should be in the hall, but there is definitely more to the story than simple gambling.
Orel Saxhiser
@VonPurpleHayes, When Rose was managing, a major criticism of him was how he’d burn through several relievers in an early-season game. We later found out why. Betting on your team to win does not make it okay. He is not in the HOF because he is not eligible. It is not MLB’s call.
VonPurpleHayes
@Cey Hey I think people forget the seriousness of the whole Rose fiasco. So I agree with you. I think he should be eligible due to his impressive stats, but at the same time, the severe penalty is justified. I think over the years people forgot that he was changing the outcome of games for his own financial gain. It’s not like he was simply betting, he was rigging scores.
Joe says...
@17dizzy, do you mean other than the fact that MLB has no say in who gets in, or is even eligible, for the HOF?
tbone0816
Would love for him to come home to STL!!
Cmurphy
The guy is good, I will grant you that, but 40M AAV? Not that good.
VonPurpleHayes
And he’s old and has dead arm. Guy was one of the best contracts in history (Nats), but 40mm+ for a nearly 38 year old pitcher is asinine, particularly if you’re a team like the Mets who aren’t even a playoff guarantee.
17dizzy
Scherzer already has a deal in place with the Cardinals. A Cut rate hometown deal to finish up his career in the city he was raised.
Can’t write about his baseball baseball career without having a happy ending by bringing the Cardinals another World Series Championship!!
48-team MLB
The Cardinals are still 10 years away from their next title. They will sweep the Orioles in 2031.
JeffreyChungus
Try 50
Toms Changeup
I feel like it will be a team no one is expecting. I really feel like Semien just did that as well I wouldn’t of had the Rangers in the top 5 for him.
ericl
And when Scherzer re-signs with the Dodgers & Gausman goes to the Giants or Jays, what do the Mets do ? What pitcher do they throw stupid money at then?
48-team MLB
The problem with the Mets is that they’ve built an environment that’s simply a dumpster fire. “New York Mets” will forever have a negative vibe now. I’ll say it once again. They need to relocate and become the Rochester Rabbits.
VonPurpleHayes
Well Gausman is officially a Jay according to Jon Heyman. So it’s Max or bust for the Mets. Maybe the pivot to Ray or Stroman, but they may have burned some bridges.
nentwigs
According to informed sources, The Marlins were are in on Max Scherzer and have an offer on the table. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but it may not favorably compare to the financial commitment of the offers submitted by other teams.. The Marlins are not the only team to be interested.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
3 years 120 with player options after Years 1 and 2. Hes the Nolan Ryan of his generation – but hes better. Dude can pitch til hes 45.
48-team MLB
Mets over Astros in 2049. No pennants until then. Don’t overpay now when the future is already written for your organization.
Kevin28786
Dude couldn’t even pitch in the elimination game in the NLCS because of a dead arm and you think he’s got 10 more years in there?
AgeeHarrelsonJones
I wouldn’t over interpret a so called dead arm following a 60 game season. This guy is a beast
C-Daddy
60 game season? It was a regular 162 game season last year.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Understood — but my point is that pitchers were not adequately stretched out in 2020, which made it more difficult for them in 2021. Fewer starters “qualified” in 2021 for the ERA title (based on innings pitched) compared to the number of qualifiers in 2019. Across the board, pitchers’ endurance suffered in 2021. Scherzer’s dead arm has been mistinterpreted… Now, I suppose he could be injured, but a physical will reveal an injury. Given that his former team (Dodgers) is still bidding for his services, it is likely that he is not injured — because they know more about his health than any other organization, except perhaps the Nats.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Ryan had about 2000 strikeouts after his age 36 season. Thats Mad Max. As far as the FA market is concerned this could be an epic signing
towinagain
So now he’s going to sign with the Padres haha. One can dream lol
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Nice rotation is he signs w the friars. But the talented team lacks chemistry
frankf
Looks like another brilliant move by the minds that are still paying Bobby Bonilla and Brett Saberhagen.
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Cohen and Alderson did not sign Bonilla. Or Saberhagen. The Wilpons sold the team last year ICYMI
SheaGoodbye
Wonder how much mileage you’ve gotten out of this long overused joke. Come up with new material.
pstef123
The Angels are about to get shut out of the top pitching market once again. They’ll either have to loot the farm for Castillo or Arte will pivot once again and overpay for a SS.
TommyLasutton
They can get Trevor Bauer on a 2 year, $38MM deal…
AgeeHarrelsonJones
They already overpaid for a overhyped narcissist
TommyLasutton
Let’s go METS OVERPAY!!!!!!
AgeeHarrelsonJones
Per Heyman Jon Gray (rangers) and Gausmam (jays) are no longer available. Mets options are dwindling
DarkSide830
post was started before those signings happened.
jorge78
At least the taxes between Cali & the Big Apple balance out…..
DarkSide830
$40 million for any player is crazy
Cohens_Wallet
I’m not overly optimistic he’ll end up with the Mets but just the chance to be in the conversation and the resources to make it a non factor is pretty cool.
Metsin777
Feels like the whole Bauer situation again. Mets have the highest offer and then at the last second the Dodgers swoop in and match it
Orel Saxhiser
No, Friedman was forced into the Bauer thing by ownership. He is not so stupid that he would overpay for Scherzer.
Have you noticed something? The best teams and best-run organizations are mostly sitting out the spending frenzy. What does that tell you as a baseball fan?
Cohens_Wallet
So are you saying the Dodgers weren’t smart from 2012 to 2020?
Orel Saxhiser
When have they splurged for free agents under Friedman? Bauer was the big one and not of AF’s choice.
Cohens_Wallet
No they just traded for the highest payroll in baseball. Either way a splurge is a splurge. I believe Carl Crawfords dead legs were part of that payroll.
rct
They literally have the highest payroll in baseball. What are you talking about?
DarkSide830
okay actually Dombro you need to do something now because we cant be letting the Mets do this unanswered.
Camden453
Media is setting up the Mets
Camden453
Like I said, give him 6 years if you need to. There’s no way he’s going to turn that down
And you’ll probably get at least 3 good years out of it
Orel Saxhiser
He will be 38 in July. Good luck with that.
RobM
More likely to believe Rosenthal than Morosi.
Hoping the final deal is something absurd. 3/300.
PinstripedPride
Morosi just said Scherzer is a Met. Congrats Uncle Steve
Camden453
Morosi just confirmed the Mets are finalizing a deal with Scherzer
towinagain
As a Padres fan, wait, I’ve seen this before…
dodgerfan83
Mets have seen this before too. Don’t count anything until the signature is on the dotted line.
Camden453
Morosi is the next Bob Nightengale
TradeAcuna
The last headline was Max’s contract with the Nats was one of the best in decades (which is true).
This just screams disaster, especially with the whole dead arm situation.
Regardless, I’d be lying if I say this move is not great for the Mets, especially short term. If the Mets get Max, then that means the Braves need to step up.
Sign Freeman, trade for Mullins or Reynolds, get Greinke (?).
justinkm19
Rosenthal saying the Dodgers may lose Seager to the Rangers as well
Cohens_Wallet
I rather have Mad Max’s repertoire be paid 40mil than Bauer. Mets Dodged a bullet there.
Pachoo
Mets will sign Scherzer for like 4 years, $165M, which will turn into the next big bust free agent signing by the organization. They keep signing old players past their prime. With Scherzer, they are likely the oldest team in MLB. Sure Cohen might be willing to go over $300M but that is almost where they are at if Scherzer signs. The team needs much more than Scherzer and the three mediocre, old position guys they recently signed to be a true contender.
thecrown24
Dude just stop hating and Being a troll. If he comes here great is it an over pay hell yeah it is. Opening your mouth about a owner who has money and doesn’t care just wants to win. What team do you root for just curious?
Pachoo
I’m just pointing out the obvious. Mets are signing old players past their prime for more than they are worth. That isn’t a good recipe for success. In fact, very high chance this blows up in the Met’s face. You don’t give a 38 year old pitcher who just suffered dead arm in the playoffs the highest average per year contract in the history of baseball. Only dumb, desperate organizations make signings like this,
VonPurpleHayes
They seem to be willing to go over the tax for the next 3 years. These are all 3-4 year deals. They will likely retool then. This hopefully gets them some playoff appearances, but the Braves aren’t going anywhere.
Orel Saxhiser
The Braves are adding Ronald Acuna Jr. to a team that just won the World Series.
Camden453
Doug Rush: UPDATE: Max Scherzer and the Mets are on the verge of finalizing a deal.
Unless any unforeseen things happen, Scherzer is coming to the Mets.
bobbyvwannabe
All hail the Orange and Blue
RobM
At least if the Mets sign Scherzer, they’ll at least have an ace who can pitch the full season and is willing to pitch more than five innings.
Camden453
This is another Bauer situation
metsfn817
He is using the Mets to get the west coast to pony up more money. Ill believe it when he is introduced as a Met. It would be a huge get if we don’t self sabotage like usual.
Camden453
I think agents/media is setting up the Mets to look bad
Orel Saxhiser
Mets don’t need help in that regard. Have you ever read The Worst Team Money Can Buy?
Vizionaire
either he signs with mutts or get more from the dodgers it’s not bad!
LGM1979
I’ll believe it when I see him in a Mets jersey. Don’t get hopes up too much. It would be incredible though. Let’s Go Mets!
MC Tim C
It’s a done deal. The Dodgers aren’t going $45M+ to get him back. Scherzer to the Mets.
CJ81
Come on Max, sign with your hometown at the last minute! I’m sure the mets won’t mind a quick change of heart.
Mystery Team
$40 million a year for an old guy who couldn’t go in his final start of the World Series because of arm fatigue? He only pitched 179 innings last year. Sorry but nope I’d take a hard pass but the Mets are clearly desperate.
TommyMetlover
Wow jealousy of us getting Max killing you guys
Cohens_Wallet
Desperate for pitching? Yep, just like every other team. Except maybe the Marlins.
TommyMetlover
For all morons keep bringing up Bobby Bonilla contract ,did you know it got us Mike Hampton and trip to World Series and David Wright as draft pick when Hampton left? Also did you know many guys have same deferred contract like Bonilla guys like Ken GriffeyJr ,Todd Helton Matt Holiday etc etc .Good move by clubs to defer money to use today ! So please stop with ” still pay Bonilla .Griffey Jr gets paid close to 4 million up to 2024 azzes
GriffeyJrFan
Using Bonilla as a comparison to Junior is just silly.