The San Diego Padres have been busy shoring up their pitching staff, adding Walker Buehler, Griffin Canning, and German Marquez to their roster. While these acquisitions bring depth, none quite fill the void left by Dylan Cease. However, there's a seasoned arm still on the market who might just fit the bill.
Max Scherzer, a name synonymous with pitching excellence, is waiting for a contender to call. At 41, he may not be the ace of yesteryears, but his presence could be invaluable at the back end of a rotation. The Padres, with their sights set on a postseason return, could be the perfect landing spot for Scherzer.
Despite battling injuries last season, Scherzer managed a 5-5 record with a 5.19 ERA, striking out 82 batters over 85 innings. His WHIP stood at 1.294, numbers that suggest there's still some fire left in "Mad Max," especially when the stakes are high in October.
Financially, Scherzer's projected one-year, $8.9 million deal might align well with the Padres' budget. For a team looking to bolster its rotation without breaking the bank, Scherzer offers both experience and potential upside.
If the Padres can secure Scherzer, they'll add a reliable veteran presence to their pitching mix, crucial for navigating the challenges of the National League's toughest division.