Report: Tigers Focused On Retaining Scherzer, Prepared To Spend Big
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has remained noncommittal about the possibility of bringing back starting pitcher Max Scherzer, who won the Cy Young in 2013 and put up a similarly stellar season in 2014.
Since the end of the season, Dombrowski has said repeatedly that Detroit's odds of signing Scherzer declined precipitously when he became a free agent, but ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Tigers are still trying to keep Scherzer.
The Tigers' focus is on retaining Max Scherzer. They are prepared to spend big, big dollars. Want to keep Price for 2015, too.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 9, 2014
Scherzer turned down $144 million in the spring from the Tigers, but Detroit really wants him back.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 9, 2014
It makes sense that the Tigers want Scherzer to return. Their rotation - barring further moves - is solid for 2015, with Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, David Price, Rick Porcello and Shane Greene. Porcello and Price become free agents following this season, however, meaning the Tigers face entering the 2016 season with only Verlander and Sanchez - both of whom struggled with injuries last season - and Greene, who has only a half a season of major league experience.