Max Scherzer is ready to bide his time. Could the Detroit Tigers be a potential landing spot for him?
- Tigers (https://www.mlive.com/tigers/)
- Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:18 p.m.
- Published: January 23, 2026, 12:17 p.m.
By
- Evan Woodbery | ewoodber@mlive.com (https://www.mlive.com/staff/evanwoodbery/)
DETROIT -- As spring training nears, veteran right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer finds himself without a contract. According to Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/max-scherzer-could-wait-to-sign-after-opening-day.html), he is open to waiting until after Opening Day to secure his next team.
Scherzer has informed Rosenthal that he is in good health and eager to sign, yet he is willing to exercise patience if it means aligning with a team that has a genuine chance of vying for the World Series title.
This somewhat unconventional approach could, at least in theory, align with the current situation of the Tigers.
The Tigers are preparing to kick off the season with a starting rotation featuring Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, and Drew Anderson, while Troy Melton may serve as a versatile bullpen option or the sixth starter in Toledo. Unless injuries occur, there isn’t an immediate pressing need for them to bolster this group right away.
However, as demonstrated last season, the depth of a pitching lineup can quickly become critical over the course of a long summer. If the Tigers come to the conclusion that they require additional support later in the season, bringing on board a seasoned starter around May or June could be a prudent strategy. This would allow them to enhance their rotation without having to fill a roster spot or allocate salary during March.
The concept of a veteran player waiting out the initial part of the season isn’t unheard of. For instance, Roger Clemens made headlines by doing so in his final year before joining the New York Yankees (https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/sports/baseball/07clemens.html), and David Robertson similarly signed with the Philadelphia Phillies (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6544620/2025/08/10/david-robertson-phillies-bullpen/) during the latter half of the previous season.
Rosenthal pointed out several playoff contenders as possible fits for Scherzer, including the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and the Phillies. The Tigers, who have reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons, are in that larger conversation partly due to Scherzer’s storied past in Detroit, where he earned his first Cy Young Award.
Interestingly, Scherzer isn’t the only notable former Tiger and potential Hall of Famer still available on the market. Justin Verlander is also without a contract at this time. Although there hasn’t been any indication that Verlander is considering waiting until after Opening Day to sign, the possibility remains.
Last season, Verlander earned $15 million, while Scherzer's salary was $15.5 million. These amounts might be hard for the Tigers to justify, especially after investing $15 million on Alex Cobb in 2025 without seeing any return on the field (https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2025/09/veteran-pitcher-shuts-down-season-without-throwing-a-pitch-for-tigers.html). Additionally, with Verlander approaching his 43rd birthday in February and Scherzer turning 42 in July, it's uncertain whether either pitcher will command similar salaries in 2026.
During his tenure with the Tigers from 2010 to 2014, Scherzer achieved a remarkable record of 82 wins to 35 losses with a 3.52 ERA, contributing to a renowned pitching rotation. Under his belt, the Tigers made four playoff appearances, culminating in an American League Championship in 2012.
After hitting free agency, Scherzer secured a lucrative seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals following the 2014 season. This deal turned out to be quite beneficial, as Washington qualified for the postseason three times and won the 2019 World Series during his time there.
Prior to the 2022 season, Scherzer inked a three-year, $130 million agreement with the Mets. He was subsequently traded to the Rangers mid-season (https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/07/former-tigers-starter-back-in-al-after-blockbuster-trade.html) in 2023, where he added another World Series ring to his collection.
The 2024 season presented challenges for both Scherzer and the Rangers, as he made only nine starts due to various injuries. Nevertheless, he managed to land a one-year, $15.5 million deal with the Blue Jays the following January (https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2025/01/former-tigers-star-signs-with-jays-set-for-comerica-park-return-in-july.html).
Throughout the 2024 regular season, Scherzer posted a 5.17 ERA (4.99 FIP) across 17 starts but also contributed significantly with three key postseason appearances, including Games 3 and 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who ultimately became the champions.
