Detroit Tigers Links: 11-8-13: Max Scherzer’s Future and Pending Cy Young Award

Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers’ Max Scherzer understands trade talk; might Nationals be interested? – Anthony Fenech and Steve Schrader, Detroit Free Press

"His name is popping up in trade talk — purely for payroll reasons — but Max Scherzer isn’t sweating it.“It doesn’t bother me,” the Detroit Tigers pitcher told Ken Rosenthal on the MLB Network. “I understand the business of the game and the realities of payroll. I get it. But at the same time, for me, I want to be a Detroit Tiger. I’ve been in Detroit for four years, and we’ve had a great run. You know, with all the friendships you have on the team, you just want that to continue, so hopefully, that can.”"

Cy Young 2013: Most Obvious Choices in Both the American and National League – Tyler Brooke, Bleacher Report

"Honestly, it’s no contest.  Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the obvious choices for this award.Few opposing hitters had success against Scherzer, as he held them to just a .196 batting average and posted a 6.7 walk percentage.  His WHIP of 0.97 made him the only pitcher in the American League with a WHIP under one.  He also led all AL pitchers with an incredible 6.4 WAR.What makes Scherzer so deadly is his incredible fastball, which is one of the nastiest in the majors.  He also has an impressive cutter and a curveball that he started to use more in 2013.  According to FanGraphs.com, he led the AL with the highest pitch value on his fastball and the third-highest value for his slider."

Detroit Tigers may use Nick Castellanos as a trade chip – David Miniel, Fansided

"The Detroit Tigers could be looking to add some speed and defense in their lineup during the off-season and could be using 21 year old utility man Nick Castellanos as a trade chip.According to Detroit News, the decision made by Detroit to add some speed and better defense in their lineup could delay Castellanos from picking up a starting job with this organization.So why not use Castellanos as trade bait?"

Tigers have decisions to make on ‘hold-the-fort’ free agents in Benoit, Infante and Peralta – Matthew B. Mowery, Dearborn Press & Guide

"Do they stick with ‘hold-the-fort’ guys like closer Joaquin Benoit, second baseman Omar Infante and shortstop-turned-outfielder Jhonny Peralta? Or do they let them go, anticipating they can replace them in free agency, or knowing they have a replacement groomed behind them?"

Brandon Phillips is on the trade block, but would the Tigers be interested? – Rob Rogacki, Bless You Boys

"Will he end up in Detroit? It’s not likely. Even if the Tigers were interested in trading for Phillips, they probably don’t have the pieces to get a deal done. Any package that brings Phillips to Detroit would undoubtedly be centered around Nick Castellanos, and it still appears that the Tigers view him as untouchable. I’m not saying that it’s impossible, but I would be extremely surprised if we see Phillips at Comerica Park next season."