The Phillies have had a bumpy offseason, and the rotation is where the cracks are starting to show. Losing Ranger Suárez in free agency stings, especially with Zack Wheeler still working his way back from an elbow injury. Right now, Cristopher Sánchez stands as the lone sure thing in the rotation, and while Aaron Nola and Jesús Luzardo are expected to hold down spots, there’s still a noticeable gap that needs filling.
That’s where Max Scherzer could come into play.
Yes, that Max Scherzer - three-time Cy Young winner, future Hall of Famer, and one of the fiercest competitors of his generation. While his 2025 regular season numbers - a 5-5 record, 5.19 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and a 1.294 WHIP over 85 innings - don’t exactly scream vintage Mad Max, context matters. He was pitching through injuries for much of the year, and when October rolled around, he reminded everyone that he’s still got some fire left in the tank.
For the Phillies, a move like this would be less about flash and more about filling a critical need with a proven veteran. The top of the rotation has talent, but depth is a concern.
Taijuan Walker, at this stage in his career, doesn’t project as a reliable 30-start guy. And while Andrew Painter has tantalizing upside, his struggles in Triple-A last season make it tough to pencil him into the big-league rotation just yet.
Scherzer, even at 39, offers something the Phillies desperately need: stability and experience. He’s not coming in to be the ace - that job belongs to Wheeler once he’s healthy. But as a short-term plug, a one-year stopgap while the rotation regains its footing, Scherzer makes a lot of sense.
Financially, it’s also a manageable move. With a projected one-year deal around $8.9 million, this wouldn’t tie up long-term money or block younger arms down the line. It’s the kind of low-risk, potentially high-reward signing that could quietly pay dividends over the course of a long season.
No, this wouldn’t be the kind of blockbuster move that sets social media on fire. But it could be the kind of smart, strategic addition that helps stabilize a rotation and keeps the Phillies competitive until they’re back at full strength.
With spring training looming and Scherzer still on the market, this is the kind of move that should at least be on the radar. Because if the Phillies want to keep pace in a tough NL East, they’re going to need more than just hope and upside in the back half of that rotation.