This offseason, two future Hall of Fame starting pitchers approached the end of their careers and hit the free-agent market. One of them, Justin Verlander, signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, while the other, Max Scherzer, remains unsigned.
Scherzer recently threw in front of interested teams, with the Phillies sending scouts, according to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. Although the Phillies’ level of interest in the 40-year-old right-hander is unclear, it could be more than just routine due diligence.
At 40, Scherzer is eager to compete before retiring.
However, a potential Scherzer signing seems unlikely due to the Phillies’ high payroll. They’ve already exceeded the fourth luxury tax threshold, meaning any additional spending would incur a 110% tax. Scherzer’s contract would likely mirror Verlander’s $15 million deal, making a one-year, $15 million deal cost the Phillies $31.5 million after taxes.
Verlander, who will turn 42 soon, and Scherzer, who turns 41 in July, are close in age, but Scherzer might command a larger deal. Additionally, signing Scherzer carries risks. He battled injuries during the 2024 season, making just nine starts for the Texas Rangers and posting a 3.95 ERA over 43 1/3 innings.
At his age, Scherzer’s performance has been declining, and although he’s still capable of contributing valuable innings, his financial impact may not justify the Phillies’ situation.
The Phillies also made a major acquisition this offseason, trading for 27-year-old starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins. Luzardo will join a rotation that already includes All-Stars Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez, creating what could be one of the strongest rotations in baseball in 2025.
Signing Scherzer doesn’t align with the Phillies’ plans. Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter is on track for his major league debut and will eventually join the rotation. The team also has veteran swingmen like Taijuan Walker and Joe Ross. Furthermore, Wheeler and Nola have expressed their preference against a six-man rotation, and bringing Scherzer in would all but guarantee it.
While the idea of Scherzer in a Phillies uniform is appealing, the financial and logistical realities make it an unlikely fit.
Leave a Reply