Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
Will be interesting to see what the Dodgers do with Scherzer.

He's still very much on his game, despite being 37. But how much longer does he have as an elite pitcher? It seemed he was already cracking last year, but somehow regained his form in 2021 -- perhaps due to the lighter load the prior year? (Some are saying that's the reason for Buster Posey's renaissance -- as he took 2020 off!)

Dodgers have been reluctant to give expensive long-term contracts to older players. They also lost Justin Turner because of it. Turner, who would be 36 during the 2021 season, wanted 4 years. Dodgers wanted to keep him, but offered 2. They got stuck for awhile, and ultimately Turner backed down and accepted the 2 years, and took "only" $17m per year. But it looks like they were going to let him walk if he kept demanding more than 2 years.

I think Friedman is just really against having 40-year-olds on the roster making $25m, or whatever.

The Dodgers may lose Scherzer for this reason. Turner ultimately stayed because he was comfortable in LA, and the Dodgers were the team which saved his career. Scherzer has no such history in LA.
It looks like Scherzer deferred $105 million to get paid $15 mill/year until 2028.

Does he take less money to stay with a contender after this contract ends?

Washington is shit so I don't see him returning anytime soon. So maybe there's a chance unless you think he'll bolt to the Yankees or Red Sox?