Imagine Max Scherzer toeing the rubber for the Giants in front of a packed Oracle Park. MLB executives reportedly can see just that happening.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday morning that execs see two teams as the perfect fit for the three-time Cy Young award winner: The Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. And because of the Giants' financial flexibility, they might be an even better fit than their rivals.
The Dodgers would pay a 62.5 percent penalty on every dollar spent on Scherzer due to likely winding up past the third luxury-tax threshold. The Giants, on the other hand, would still be well under the first threshold.
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Creating a 1-2 punch of Scherzer and Kevin Gausman would make the Giants real World Series contenders and possible favorites. Adding him to a mix of Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Johnny Cueto and Logan Webb is a group of depth and dangerous arms. It won't be easy, though.
Scherzer, 37, is under contract for just under $35 million this year. He's in the final season of a seven-year, $210 million deal. Scherzer also has a no-trade clause and as a player with 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the league, five with the same team), the longtime ace can turn down any trade.
But if the Giants made a real push for Scherzer, he likely would turn down his no-trade clause to join a contender.
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San Francisco Giants
The Giants have the money to add him, the money to sign him past this season and the prospects to get a deal down. Are they willing to do so?
Time is running out before the July 30 MLB trade deadline.