Max Scherzer’s outing vs. Nationals did little for his Blue Jays trade value

The Toronto Blue Jays gave Max Scherzer another chance to show contending teams he still has something left, on his 42nd birthday no less, but it didn't go the way the Blue Jays or Scherzer really wanted.

The Blue Jays are all but out of the AL East race and appear headed toward selling at the trade deadline. If the future Hall of Famer could have delivered a respectable performance, perhaps other teams would have been more inclined to look at him as a more realistic trade chip before Aug. 3.

Instead, Scherzer’s return only made the situation more complicated. He did not completely implode, but he also did not look like a pitcher ready to change a contender’s deadline plans. Scherzer lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out four.

His final line included only one earned run, which helped soften the damage, but the outing still fell well short of the kind of statement start the Blue Jays probably needed to prop up Scherzer as a deadline commodity.

It was already going to be difficult for the Blue Jays to sell Mad Max to other teams given what he has looked like for most of the season. In six MLB starts Scherzer had logged a 10.23 ERA, a 1.73 WHIP and a 10.8% walk rate in 22 innings.

That does not mean there is no possible market. Contenders are always looking for experienced pitching, and Scherzer’s résumé still carries weight, especially in big game situations. He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, a two-time World Series champion and he was given the ball to start Game 7 of the World Series just last season. A team looking for depth, leadership and October experience could still talk itself into the idea that a healthier Scherzer has one more useful stretch left.

Blue Jays may have to get creative with their Max Scherzer deadline pitch

If Scherzer is no longer a viable option as a starter, perhaps the Blue Jays’ best argument is that he could help as a short-burst postseason arm. He has not spent much of his career in that role, making just nine appearances out of the bullpen during his 19 year career, and asking a 42-year-old starter to suddenly reinvent himself as a reliever is hardly a clean solution. But it might be the only way to make the idea more appealing.

There is also the no-trade clause. Scherzer has full protection against any deal, meaning the Blue Jays cannot simply take the best offer and move on. Even if a contender is willing to take a flier, Scherzer gets a say in where he would go. He is quite obviously nearing the end of his career, so he may be open to chasing another championship, but that does not mean Toronto gets full control of the process.

Scherzer did enough to keep his trade deadline conversation alive, but not enough to suddenly rebuild his deadline value. If the Blue Jays do manager to move him, it will likely be for a very modest return.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow