Max Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer, is entering the twilight of his career, and his third free agency stint in five years. At 41, with his 42nd birthday approaching, Scherzer is no longer the dominant ace he once was. However, he remains confident in his ability to contribute to a team in the right circumstances. In a recent interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Scherzer expressed his willingness to sit out the beginning of the season and sign after Opening Day if it means joining a preferred team. This strategic move is not without precedent, as illustrated by Roger Clemens' famous holdout until he signed with the Yankees in early May and David Robertson's decision to wait until the second half of the previous season to secure a deal with the Phillies. These examples highlight the potential value Scherzer can bring to contending teams in need of depth. Despite his age, Scherzer's performance has varied, with a 5.17 ERA and 4.99 FIP in 17 starts for the Blue Jays, but he excelled in the playoffs with a 3.77 ERA across three starts. Teams like the Brewers, Padres, Phillies, Tigers, Marlins, and Athletics could benefit from Scherzer's experience, but the extent of their contention might be a deciding factor in his decision.
