Max Scherzer not signing an extension with the Detroit Tigers

Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

According to a statement released by the Detroit tigers, which was then tweeted by ESPN’s Buster Olney, Max Scherzer will not sign an extension to stay in Detroit. The Tigers offered the reigning Cy Young winner a ‘substantial’ offer which was turned down.

“The Detroit Tigers have made a substantial, long-term contract extension offer to Max Scherzer that would have placed him among the highest paid pitchers in baseball, and the offer was rejected,”

“As we have reiterated, it has been the organization’s intent to extend Max’s contract and keep him in a Tigers uniform well beyond the 2014 season. While this offer would have accomplished that, the ball club’s focus remains on the start of the upcoming season, and competing for a World Championship. Moving forward there will be no further in-season negotiation and the organization will refrain from commenting on this matter.”

Scherzer said himself that he wouldn’t sign an extension after opening day, upon settling on a one year, 15 and a half million dollar deal to avoid arbitration. The starting pitcher will now enter free agency at the end of the season, and pursue an even bigger deal. The news comes after Justin Verlander was named the opening day starter for the approaching season.

The Tigers ace lead the rotation last year with a sensational career year, compiling a 2.90 ERA and a 21-3 record over 214 innings with 240 strikeouts. The deal will come as a massive disappointment to the Tigers, who seemingly have been gearing up to extend Scherzer all offseason. They reduced their payroll by shifting Prince Fielder and Doug Fister to pave the way for an extension for Scherzer, however, he will now enter free agency in 2015.