With Max Scherzer dealing for the Blue Jays this spring, it makes me wonder why the Nats weren’t interested
Max Scherzer is the greatest Nationals of all time and my favorite player of all time. Despite that, the Washington Nationals seemed to make no effort to bring him back in free agency. He ended up with the Toronto Blue Jays on a 1-year $15.5 million contract. While this is a sizable sum for a guy who has missed a lot of time lately, it is something I think the Nationals should have done.
This spring Scherzer has shown he still has some gas in the tank. In 9 innings, he has allowed two runs with 14 strikeouts and 0 walks. After an injury plagued 2024, where mad Max only made nine starts, there were concerns about whether the 40 year old still had gas in the tank, but it looks like he does.
Even at his advanced age, I would much prefer Scherzer to Trevor Williams, who the Nats signed to a 2-year $14 million deal. I get MLB GM’s are not supposed to be sentimental, but getting Max back would have been a nice gift to the fans who have suffered so much the past couple years.
Not only that, but Scherzer would be a great mentor for the younger pitchers on the staff. If I were Mackenzie Gore or DJ Herz, I would much rather be getting pointers from Max Scherzer than Trevor Williams or Lucas Sims.
Even in an injury plagued season where some called him “washed”, Scherzer’s sub 4 ERA would be a plus in this Nats staff. It is clear that Blue Jays fans already love the guy and are happy with their investment as well. In a year where the Nationals look to climb towards .500, they need winners on the roster. Max Scherzer is the very definition of a winner. He is one of the greatest competitors in baseball history, and the Nationals need a tone setter.
Trevor Williams, Kyle Finnegan, and Amed Rosario cost pretty much the same price as Scherzer. Can you really tell me with a straight face that you would prefer that over Mad Max, even at this point in his career because I certainly can’t.
Washington Nationals fans deserve something to cheer about after years of bad rosters. Can the powers that be really not go out and try to bring back the franchises best player and let him finish out his career where he had his best seasons. Scherzer is still good when he is on the mound and is a heart and soul player.
I know I would be much more willing to put up the money it takes to go to a Nats game if my favorite player ever were on the mound. I get that shouldn’t be part of the calculus for a front office, but Max is flat out a better player than Trevor Williams. Why can’t they go the extra mile and bring back the franchise legend who still has a little more left in the tank?