Cubs Free Agent Target: Max Scherzer |
As much as Chicago Cubs fans would like for this team to act like the big market team they are, it's just not going to happen as Tom Ricketts continues to operate under a specified budget. Whatever the reasons for that decision are, it is a topic for a different day, and it limits the Cubs in what they can do to add to their team.
For all the bad things that Jed Hoyer has brought upon himself, there are also a lot of good things. He has done a phenomenal job rebuilding their farm system and doing a great job on the trade market. He has done well adding free agents for reasonable prices which you have seen in Jameson Taillon in Shota Imanaga. Even if that isn't the way most teams operate, Hoyer knows his limitations and does the best he can with the resources he is given. Coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons, there are no more excuses for the Cubs as they need to get back on track and win games. Being able to spend a ton of money can go a long way in that, but you also have to be smart with the Money you do have, as the Cubs have enough money to improve their roster in some aspect. The challenge is how and where they address the roster, especially if they want to prioritize adding starting pitching. It's no secret that Roki Sasaki is an amazing fit for this team, and like most of the league, the Cubs are hoping to find a way to get him. Take him out of the mix, and most of the free-agent starting pitching options may be out of the Cubs' price range and ultimately prove costly. Unless this team is willing to go out of its comfort zone to address its needs, it could be another long season. This roster is at a crucial point with little to no flexibility to get better. Like Justin Verlander, who was mentioned recently, Max (Mad Max) Scherzer is also available and could be worth looking into as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Entering the end of his career, Scherzer is going to be a first-ballot hall of famer, but he thinks he has a few good years left in the tank. Yes, age and injuries are concerns, which they were last season, but there is no denying that when he is healthy and on, he can still light up the radar gun at 97 MPH and can make hitters look silly at times. Limited to just nine starts and 43 innings in 2024, Scherzer made the most of the time he saw on the mound, posting a 3.95 ERA in those outings. The velocity was still there, as were the impressive strikeout numbers, as he struck out 40 batters in his 43 innings. Scherzer also continued filling the strike zone while limiting hitters to a 7.9% barrel rate and 34.9% hard-hit rate. With initial contract projections putting him at one year and around 16 million per year, it is an interesting topic to consider as he is still a better option than many of the Cubs' arms. Knowing that Scherzer is ending what has been a lucrative three-year deal and would be willing to sign for less, he would be in a great situation and have a chance to win. Any time you start discussing pitchers of this age and where they stand this late in their careers, you have to weigh both the pros and cons. Would Scherzer be an instant upgrade to the back end of the rotation? Of course, but then again, how long can you count on him to make an immediate impact? Regardless, if the Money is right and he would be willing to sign a short-term deal, it would be worth watching to see how the Cubs would approach that situation.
