The Los Angeles Dodgers have several notable free agents this winter, including the top available starting pitcher in Max Scherzer.
He’s coming off another strong season and as expected there hasn’t been any shortage of reported teams with interest in the future Hall of Famer. That of course includes the Dodgers, but their situation is muddied a bit by the uncertainty with Trevor Bauer.
The right-hander exercised his player option for the 2022 season, but still faces the possibility — if not likelihood — of being suspended by MLB upon their completion of an investigation into sexual assault allegations.
Meanwhile, Scherzer is now expected to sign a new contract before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 8:59 p.m. PT on Wednesday Dec. 1 and a lockout is implemented, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Top free agent starter Max Scherzer is expected to make his decision before the impending Dec. 1 lockout. Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Mets among teams in.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 28, 2021
The latest update on Scherzer falls in line with what Corey Seager reportedly is hopeful to do as well. Both are represented by mega agent Scott Boras, who historically has his star clients drag on the free-agency process to stir up a bidding war rather than set a deadline of sorts.
Along with the Dodgers, the L.A. Angels, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals have been linked to Scherzer. Boras recently indicated the 37-year-old was prioritizing playing on a World Series contender, which would seemingly give the Dodgers and Giants an edge.
That holds even more true if like at the trade deadline, Scherzer prefers the West Coast.
Will Dodgers re-sign Scherzer?
The Dodgers and Scherzer appear to be a match on paper, and even without a resolution on Bauer at present time, there is a belief a re-signing is likely.
That is expected to come in the form of a three-year contract with a record average annual value for a pitcher.
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