© Cary Edmondson | 2018 Apr 25
The trade deadline is just three days away, and the rumors are starting to heat up. One of which will make Giants fans salivate.
Two separate reports on Tuesday seemed to raise the likelihood that the Giants could make a trade for Nationals star pitcher Max Scherzer. Scherzer, 37, is on an expiring contract for the fledgling Nationals (45-54) and is believed to be on the block for the right price. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Scherzer strongly prefers a trade to the West Coast. Disclaimer: The Giants play on the West Coast.
It remains to be seen if Max Scherzer will be traded, but a source said the pitcher “strongly prefers the West Coast” to waive his no-trade clause. Given the state of the NL West, he could be the difference-maker in that race if he landed with the Dodgers, Giants or Padres.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 27, 2021
Okay, it should also be mentioned that the Giants two biggest NL West rivals, the Dodgers and Padres, are also on the West Coast, and undoubtedly have interest in Scherzer. However, a second report by Jeff Passan of ESPN detailed that MLB executives see the Dodgers and Giants as ‘perfect fits’ for Scherzer ahead of the Padres. What’s more, the Giants financial situation would make a play for Scherzer more feasible.
If the Dodgers were to acquire Scherzer and the prorated $35 million he’s due this year, that would put them even deeper into the luxury tax threshold, meaning they’d have to pay an extra 62.5 percent on every dollar spent his contract.
Conversely, the Giants are well-below the luxury tax threshold, and would take far less of a financial hit. They would, however, likely have to part with one of their top prospects, something Farhan Zaidi has yet to do in his time with the Giants.
As far as Scherzer is concerned, the 3-time Cy Young Award winner is still one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 18 starts this season, Scherzer has a 2.83 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, the lowest of his 14-year career.
