Why the Yankees Should Steer Clear of Max Scherzer

Given the slew of players on the IL, the New York Yankees should be all in Max Scherzer should be. However, here’s why they shouldn’t be.

Despite losing 15 players to injury this season, including ace Luis Severino, the New York Yankees have the 4th best record in MLB. They’re only 2.0 games behind the Houston Astros who have the best record in baseball.

Now, you’d think given the horrible start the Washington Nationals have gotten off to that the Yanks would be knocking on their door for ace Max Scherzer. However, at this point in the season, why even bother?

The fact of the matter is that Yankees pitchers have the 2nd best fWAR in baseball. Not only that, but they also rank in the top 10 in ERA (3.79), FIP (4.10), WHIP (1.22), and K/9 (9.61) to name a few stats. Adding Scherzer, in some way would be overkill.

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Instead, the team should view the return of Severino and Dellin Betances as acquired pieces that are going to cost significantly less. Scherzer will not only cost the Yanks top quality prospects/players, but it will also cost the team a significant amount of money.

In fact, Scherzer is owed over $48M over the next two seasons, and while some of it is deferred, it isn’t exactly clear how much. Not only that, at close to 35 years of age, a decline is imminent, it’s only a matter of when will it finally happen.

The Yankees have proven that they have the depth to compete in MLB no matter how many injuries. What’s more, the fact that the team is 16 games over .500 with so many injuries can only mean that when Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and the like return, the team will only get better… if that’s even possible.

So, the Yanks should stay put and keep riding this dream season. If all goes as planned, it should only get better.