The Atlanta Braves have been relatively quiet this offseason, but Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball predicts that won’t last much longer, speculating that former Mets ace Max Scherzer could end up in Atlanta. Finkelstein, who hosts the New York Mets Locked On Podcast, draws a comparison to the Braves’ successful acquisition of Chris Sale, who revitalized his career with the team, even winning a Cy Young after being traded there. He suggests that if the Braves could pull off such a move with Sale, they might try again by taking a chance on Scherzer, especially after his injury-plagued 2024 season.
Scherzer has significant experience pitching in the National League East, having spent seven years with the Washington Nationals and part of two seasons with the Mets, giving him plenty of familiarity with the Braves. Over his 17-year career, Scherzer has earned eight All-Star selections and three Cy Young Awards, and he has amassed a remarkable $314.5 million in earnings. However, signing Scherzer, who will turn 41 in July, carries some risk. He pitched just 43.1 innings last year and posted a 3.95 ERA, but when healthy, Scherzer has remained effective, especially with his high strikeout rate and solid performance in the past.
The Braves, having seen Max Fried and Charlie Morton leave in free agency, are in need of reliable pitchers to fill the gap. Both Fried and Morton pitched over 160 innings last season, and Scherzer could provide that stability if healthy. While Scherzer’s age and injury history make the signing a gamble, his potential upside is considerable, particularly with an organization like the Braves that is renowned for maximizing pitching talent.
Scherzer’s career record stands at 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA, and in his last full season in 2023, he posted a 13-6 record with a 3.77 ERA, a 1.120 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts in 152.2 innings. He also brings a wealth of postseason experience, having been part of the Nationals’ 2019 World Series-winning team and the Rangers’ 2023 championship roster.
Finkelstein predicts the Braves could sign Scherzer to a one-year, $16 million deal, which would be a similar contract to the one Morton could have signed. The Braves’ interest in veteran pitchers on that kind of contract value remains a possibility, especially considering how valuable starting pitcher depth is in today’s game. Though there is some risk involved in signing Scherzer, the one-year deal would minimize that risk, making it a potentially low-cost, high-reward move for the Braves.
