Detroit Tigers Links: More Max Scherzer contract fall-out & Bruce Rondon’s possible replacements

Feb 14, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) signs autographs.

Max Scherzer wants to stay with Detroit Tigers despite rejecting contract offer – Patrick Schmidt, FanSided

"“It just didn’t get done now,” Scherzer said. “We felt like we should revisit this after the season, that would be best. I’ve said it, I’ll keep saying it, I want to be in Detroit. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I really enjoy the clubhouse and everyone that’s involved. I know we have a great team here, so I’m not saying the grass is greener on the other side. But at the end of the day, I want to play this out and continue to go forward and see what happens after 2014.”"

I was taken a-back by the Tigers releasing the statement about the failed negotiations, it doesn’t seem to fit the way Dave Dombrowski and the team goes about it’s business, but I can understand the frustration that would cause them to issue the statement. Kudos to Max for being able to be positive after that, although you’d expect nothing less. Of course he is going to say he wants to be here in 2015 and beyond. You can’t really burn the bridge you are currently standing on.

Super agent Scott Boras: Detroit Tigers rejected ‘substantial’ contract offer, not Max Scherzer – James Schmehl, MLive

"Boras told ESPN.com on Sunday that Scherzer, not the Tigers, made a “substantial long-term contract extension offer” to the Tigers, which was turned down by the Tigers."

I’m sure we all believe a player’s agent on this. Especially one that made news this past Saturday by saying another client, Stephen Drew, has a phantom three-year, $39 million deal pending that the player apparently hasn’t signed yet. Ya ain’t gonna do better, Stephen. Better sign on that dotted line quickly.

Detroit Tigers’ Max Scherzer says lack of contract extension will not change focus: ‘I’m here to win’ – Chris Iott, MLive

"Many Tigers fans have already turned on Scherzer via social media. Some baseball followers have criticized the Tigers for releasing a statement announcing the end of negotiations with Scherzer.Scherzer says he just wants to pitch.“It just didn’t get done now,” Scherzer said. “We felt like we should revisit this after the season, that would be best. I’ve said it. I’ll keep saying it. I want to be in Detroit. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I really enjoy the clubhouse and everyone that’s involved. I know we have a great team here, so I’m not saying the grass is greener on the other side. But at the end of the day I want to play this out and continue to go forward and see what happens after 2014.”"

I saw plenty of “trade him,” “greedy players are a cancer,” and those types of comments throughout the web on Sunday. While I understand the frustration from fans who can’t relate to the high dollar figures thrown around for ballplayers, if you want your team (the Tigers) to compete for a World Series this year, why trade one of the best pitchers in the game? If he’s gone after this year, might as well try to ride it out until the end.

Finding Bruce Rondon’s replacement: 4 external candidates Detroit Tigers could strongly consider – Schmehl

"Octavio Dotel, Joel Hanrahan, Ryan Madson, and David Aardsma"

Rondon’s injury came at a terrible time as Spring Training is winding down so the Tigers external options are limited. Hanrahan may be most intriguing, but I wouldn’t be opposed to giving ageless wonder Dotel a shot, though that would likely be through a minor league deal–much like how Jose Valverde came back to Detroit last year.