Report: Nats may listen to trade offers for Scherzer

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Nationals may listen to trade offers for ace Max Scherzer

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/9/21

The Washington Nationals are last in the NL East with a 24-33 record. If things don't get better, it might be time for the club to consider making some changes.

One of those changes could come on the mound. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Nationals are not ready to listen to offers for Max Scherzer, but their mindset could change in the coming weeks.

The #Nats aren’t ready to listen to offers on Max Scherzer yet, source says, but they’re last in the NL East and their mindset could change in the weeks ahead. Of note, Scherzer’s hometown Cardinals need rotation help. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 9, 2021

Scherzer is a prime trade candidate because he's in the final year of his seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals and will be a free agent after the 2021 campaign. He'll also turn 37 in July, and his time in Major League Baseball is undoubtedly beginning to wind down.

The St. Louis native has been one of Washington's best pitchers this season and without question the team's ace since his arrival in D.C., so it's not hard to see why the Nats are hesitant to move him. However, trading him would allow the team to get help in other positions.

Scherzer is 5-4 on the season with a 2.22 ERA, 0.818 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 77 innings.

Sports Illustrated lists the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals as the five best trade fits for the three-time Cy Young winner.

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