Detroit Tigers focused on retaining Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer‘s market has yet to really develop, partly due to teams waiting to see where Jon Lester signs and partly due to his agent, Scott Boras, not being in a rush to get a deal done for his client. All along the Detroit Tigers figured to be in the mix, though not necessarily a favorite to sign the electric right-hander. Now, it would seem, the Tigers have shifted their focus in an effort to retain him, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

The about-face is a curious one for Detroit. Much of the discussion since the offseason began has centered on the team having multiple needs to address, limiting how much payroll can be set aside just for the starting rotation. Bringing Scherzer back would necessitate another deal, likely moving either David Price or Rick Porcello to address another need. Price is projected to earn close to $19 million in his final year of arbitration. Porcello is projected at $12.2 million. Both could potentially walk at season’s end.

A deal could still end up being on the table, but Olney notes that the Tigers plan to hold onto Price as well. Given the rotations being assembled by other teams in the AL Central, maintaining a front three of Scherzer, Price, and Justin Verlander could prove to be ideal for the Tigers.

Detroit made an effort to re-sign Scherzer last spring, before the former Cy Young winner even reached the open market. At the time they offered him a six year deal, believed to be worth $144 million but Scherzer turned them down without submitting a counteroffer.

Depending on what (and where) Lester ends up signing for, Scherzer could be facing a similar deal: likely six years, topping $150 million.