Max Scherzer remains on the market in free agency and moving into 2015, teams like the NY Yankees, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Astros and Texas Rangers could be in the mix to sign the pitcher, as it's just a couple months until spring training and he is available along with James Shields as the top free agent pitchers.
Scherzer is looking for a big free agent contract and most reports have the $200 million range for a deal with Scotty Boras, who always is looking for top dollar. The Washington Post asked the question last week about what team could pony up the case for Scherzer and the usual suspects were named, including the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have the money and have shown in the past they are willing to spend, but after trading for David Price they may allow Scherzer to walk. Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports reported that the Cardinals are "exploring" whether to sign Scherzer or to trade for Cole Hamels and they could be a surprise candidate for Scherzer.
The Cardinals have the capability of spending big money on Scherzer, but heading into the offseason they were not expected to be a major option for him. The Giants looked like a potential destination with the way things shaped up around Madison Bumgarner, as Matt Cain was injured and there are some rotation questions, but San Francisco appears out of the running. Buster Olney wrote back in November that the Yankees should never be counted out, as they have the money and the need in the rotation for a starter.
According to the NY Daily News, Hal Steinbrenner said not to rule out Scherzer coming to the Yankees despite the fact that the payroll is already expected to be around $200 million. Earlier in the offseason is looked like the Yankees would not be in the mix for Scherzer because of his price tag, but if it comes down a little bit, they could jump in. Yankees president Randy Levine and GM Brian Cashman said that it is unlikely that the team will sign Scherzer, but clearly Steinbrenner thinks the team can stay in the mix.
The Yankees are also reportedly looking at Johan Santana, as he is coming back after dealing with injuries in the past. The Yankees lost Ivan Nova to Tommy John surgery and with CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka coming off injuries, the team likely needs more depth in the rotation and they could sign Santana to help with that. The Cardinals could be an interesting option for Scherzer, as the team knows that Adam Wainwright's future could be up in the air long term.
Scherzer won the Cy Young two years ago while posting a 21-3 record with a 2.90 ERA and last season he followed it up with an 18-5 record and 3.15 ERA. Scherzer is a strikeout machine and had over 250 last season and he would fit in perfectly with the Yankees rotation, especially if Michael Pineda, Tanaka and Sabathia can stay relatively healthy. Scherzer be on himself after turning down a $140 million extension from the Tigers and now he is hoping to cash in big.
