The Los Angeles Dodgers saw several key contributors officially reach free agency last week. The group included Max Scherzer, who went on a historic stretch after being traded to the club at the deadline.
The right-hander allowed just six runs over his first nine starts with the Dodgers, and posted a 7-0 record, 1.98 ERA, 1.96 FIP and 0.82 WHIP in 68.1 innings of work during that span.
Including time spent with the Washington Nationals, Scherzer went 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 11.84 strikeouts per nine innings and .185 opponents’ batting average this season. He led the Majors in WHIP and batting average against, and was second in the National League in ERA and strikeouts per nine.
Despite being one of the older free agents this offseason, Scherzer is expected to have a strong market that includes pitching-needy teams like the L.A. Angels. The 37-year-old is believed to want to finish his career on the West Coast and play for a contender, which makes a return to the Dodgers more feasible.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Scherzer is likely to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year contract and could receive an average annual salary of $35 million:
Scherzer, 37, is a Cy Young finalist, and seems likely to return to the Dodgers on a three-year contract with an average salary in the $35 million range.
Given the uncertainty surrounding their starting rotation, it would be a boon if the Dodgers are able to retain Scherzer. Clayton Kershaw is a free agent himself, and Trevor Bauer’s future remains murky as MLB has yet to conclude its investigation into alleged sexual assault.
After signing Andrew Heaney to a one-year contract earlier this week, L.A. currently has a projected rotation for next season that includes him, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin. Dustin May presumably will be an option later in the year, and David Price could potentially be a factor as well.
The Dodgers also are among the teams to reportedly express interest in signing Steven Matz, who is coming off a quality season in which he went 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 29 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Scherzer in running for multiple awards
Having already won the National League Outstanding Pitcher Award, Scherzer may very well take home additional hardware in the coming days. He is one of three finalists for the Cy Young Award and is among the Dodgers’ nominees for the 2021 All-MLB Team.
The NL Cy Young Award winner will be announced during a live show on MLB Network on Wednesday, Nov. 17., and the All-MLB Team will be revealed on Dec. 7.
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