The Los Angeles Dodgers will have decisions to make on several key players that are due to reach free agency at the end of the 2021 season, including Max Scherzer, who made an immediate impact after joining the team at the MLB trade deadline.
The future Hall of Famer helped anchor an injury-depleted rotation by posting a perfect 7-0 record, 1.98 ERA, 1.96 FIP and 0.82 WHIP in 11 regular season starts. He was just as effective in the postseason until arm fatigue set in.
Despite being one of the older free agents on the market, Scherzer has shown no signs of slowing down and figures to command a lucrative contract. In terms of potential suitors, the L.A. Angels are expected to pursue the right-hander as they look to bolster their rotation.
Angels play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian recently revealed on the “Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney” podcast that several players, including Mike Trout, are in favor of the organization signing Scherzer this offseason:
“From what I understand, there’s already a lot of lobbying happening by players and the very top of the payroll there. Mike Trout is very invested in the ‘bring Max Scherzer to Anaheim effort.’ … If it’s Scherzer, that would be great. But the fact remains the Angels have $130 million committed to three players on the payroll next year. Between Trout, Rendon and Upton, that’s $130 million, which is more payroll than 12 teams had on their Opening Day books. So I don’t know what the appetite is going to be like for a deal for Scherzer.”
The Angels’ long need for starting pitching was evident this season as they finished in the bottom-five across several categories en route to missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year.
With only Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval and perhaps Jose Suarez locked into spots in the rotation for next season, the team will be looking to add at least two starters this winter.
Scherzer is a natural fit as he is believed to want to stay in Southern California for the rest of his career. But as Vasgersian noted, the Angels already have a significant amount of money tied up to three players, so it remains to be seen how motivated they will be in potentially adding another major contract to their books.
Whether Scherzer would have interest in joining the Angels is unclear. At this point in his career, he most likely will prioritize playing for a contender over salary, which could give the Dodgers an edge in re-signing him.
Scherzer was not worried about free agency
When asked about his upcoming free agency in September, Scherzer shrugged off the topic and opted to keep the focus on helping the Dodgers repeat as World Series champions.
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