It was clear Max Scherzer was not returning to Detroit after turning down a $144 million offer, but it's been unclear where he will land. There were plenty of teams involved in the Scherzer race, with the Washington Nationals not listed as one of them. But Sunday night the Nats came out of nowhere to throw $210 million over 7 years at the ace to bring him to our nation's capital.
The 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner will join Stephen Strasburg, Doug Fister, Jordan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez in one of the best rotations in baseball. The Nats' starting rotation was the best in 2014 with a 3.04 ERA. This may help Washington get past the NLDS, falling out in the divisional series in 2012 and 2014 after winning the NL East both years.
Scherzer joins a team that lost 100 games in 2008 and 2009, but has been on the rise the past few years. He began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the past 5 seasons with the Detroit Tigers. The 30-year old compiled a 21-3 record and a 2.90 ERA the year he won the Cy Young, and had an 18-5 record with a 3.15 ERA this past season.
The deal gives Scherzer the most guaranteed dollars for a right-handed pitcher. It included a $50 million signing bonus, in which $5 million is due this year. $15 million each will be due in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Max Scherzer is now the 2nd-highest paid pitcher in baseball, behind Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw. Not only does Scherzer get the money he's been looking for, but also, with the stellar rotation, another chance to reach October.
The 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner will join Stephen Strasburg, Doug Fister, Jordan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez in one of the best rotations in baseball. The Nats' starting rotation was the best in 2014 with a 3.04 ERA. This may help Washington get past the NLDS, falling out in the divisional series in 2012 and 2014 after winning the NL East both years.
Scherzer joins a team that lost 100 games in 2008 and 2009, but has been on the rise the past few years. He began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the past 5 seasons with the Detroit Tigers. The 30-year old compiled a 21-3 record and a 2.90 ERA the year he won the Cy Young, and had an 18-5 record with a 3.15 ERA this past season.
The deal gives Scherzer the most guaranteed dollars for a right-handed pitcher. It included a $50 million signing bonus, in which $5 million is due this year. $15 million each will be due in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Max Scherzer is now the 2nd-highest paid pitcher in baseball, behind Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw. Not only does Scherzer get the money he's been looking for, but also, with the stellar rotation, another chance to reach October.
