Nationals ace Max Scherzer seemingly says goodbye amid trade speculation
Shortly after the Washington Nationals dealt closer Brad Hand to the Toronto Blue Jays in a sign that Washington is ready to plan for beyond the rest of the current MLB season, starter Max Scherzer took the bump against the Philadelphia Phillies amid rumors he could have a new baseball home before Friday's trade deadline.
Scherzer didn't disappoint. He allowed one run over six innings in Washington's 3-1 victory over Philadelphia in the first matchup of a doubleheader scheduled after the Nationals confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak within the team on Wednesday.
According to Paul Casella of the MLB website, four players and nine staff members tested positive for the virus.
Per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, Scherzer seemed to understand he's currently worth more to the Nationals as a trade asset than an active player when speaking with reporters following Thursday's win:
Earlier in the day, MLB Network's Jon Heyman linked the Boston Red Sox with a potential move for the 37-year-old. While Scherzer is keen on going to the West Coast, he reportedly would waive his full no-trade clause to join the first-place Red Sox.
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