Since acquiring Max Scherzer, the veteran righty has been nothing but stellar. In his most recent start against the St Louis Cardinals, he threw eight innings and struck out a whopping 13 batters.
Scherzer may very well be in a race with teammate Walker Buehler for the National League Cy Young award.
With the Dodgers, Scherzer has put up video game numbers — he has a 1.05 ERA in 43 innings pitched. Throughout seven starts, he has put up a WHIP of 0.767. He’s also only allowed six runs in his stint with the Dodgers, which are ridiculous numbers.
The Dodgers in one deal essentially could have acquired this year’s CY Young Winner and MLB batting title winner in Trea Turner.
Turner still remains under the Dodgers control for a year, and we will have to wait and see what happens with Corey Seager’s free agency situation this offseason. However, Scherzer will be an eligible free agent.
The Dodgers should do everything in their power to extend Scherzer. He is 37 years old, but he has not shown any signs of slowing down. It is possible the Dodgers could look to give him a 2-3 year deal.
Scherzer was asked about his future with the Dodgers recently in a radio interview but seemed to avoid that topic.
“The best part is, I don’t have to answer that, Scherzer said. “There was an element that I could have used the trade deadline as an extension talk, but for me, I didn’t want to do that.”
That may just mean Scherzer may just want to hold off talks until the offseason. Only himself knows if he’d like to return or not. He may want to see how the Dodgers story ends this season.
Currently, Scherzer has a 2.28 ERA on the year, so he is very well in the Cy Young running. If he were to win this season it would be his fourth in his career. It would move him up to third on the list for most Cy Young awards tied with Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux.
It still seems a little bit unreal that the Dodgers were able to acquire Turner and Scherzer in this year. It has been better than advertised as they both have been outstanding.
Hopefully, they will be able to have some big moments during this 2021 pennant run.
As much as the deal at the trade deadline was a win for the Dodgers, they also were able to keep Scherzer away from the Padres and Giants.
The Dodgers should really do whatever they can to bring back Scherzer.
The Dodgers look for their second straight win against the Cardinals Tuesday. They will face veteran left-hander J.A. Happ, who is 8-7 with a 6.20 ERA this year. The Dodgers still have yet to announce their starter.
Tuesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Pacific.
This off season may be Friedman’s most difficult since he got here. Decisions to be made by Andrew or others (for example, Manfred):
1) Bauer (suspended? banished/contract voided? If either of those, does he sue the team/league?)
2) Scherzer (does he even want to come back? If so, is AF willing to match all other offers?
3) Kershaw (does he want to come back and, if so, can AF and CK agree on terms?)
4) Seager (would AF bring him back to play shortstop? A position other than shortstop? Would Corey even come back if not to play shortstop? Would he rather play back east near his home or specifically for the Yanks? Would other teams outbid us?)
5) Turner (does AF try to extend him before next season begins?)
6) Kenley and Kelly (does AF try to bring back either or both of them? I’m thinking probably no on both)
7) CT-3 (does he want to come back in the same roll as he has been filling here or would he rather go someplace where he would be declared a starter and at a definite position? If he would like to come back is AF willing to be high bidder or at least close enough to get him?)
Add all of those together plus numerous other decisions that hinge on some of the above outcomes and then mix in the new agreement that MLB has to negotiate with the players. That agreement is unlikely to be settled before free agency starts, so GM’s will be more or less flying blind, not even knowing what rules and regulations they’ll be subject to in future years.
Put all of that together and then throw in the good possibility of a strike of undetermined length which will also factor into how teams will treat this year’s free agent class.
These front office guys will definitely earn their money this off season.
I bring Scherzer back if he wants to be here. AJ Ellis believes Kershaw does not want to leave LA. I think they can find common ground on a 2 year deal. Seager is going to test the market period. If he is offered anywhere close to 300 mil from someone else, he is gone. CT-3 could be back. Kelly and Jansen will be harder choices. And Jansen certainly will not get another 20 mil a year contract. I think Bauer is going to be tied up in legal battles for quite a while. MLBPA is going to be involved in what ever happens. If Trea Turner is amenable to being a Dodger long term, they definitely should sign him.