Official: Max Scherzer signs with Washington Nationals

So I guess the posturing wasn’t real. There were no hidden agendas on the Detroit Tigers part nor Max Scherzer and his agent Scott Boras.

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This is because early Monday morning, Scherzer signed a 7-year, roughly $180 million deal to spend the rest of his career with the Washington Nationals. The $180M is quiet a bit less than Scherzer’s rumored asking price of $200-218 million, but seven years is a bit long for a 30-year old pitcher.

The Nationals were really the only team, other than the Tigers, to have reported interest in Scherzer. And their interest came seemingly out of nowhere yesterday and ended with the player signing hours later.

The Tigers played coy for the offseason saying they were not in the market for another starter, but many figured that was DD doublespeak. It turned out he was being honest where it comes to Scherzer and you have to wonder if when Max turned down $144 million last March, if the Tigers all but turned the page on the player. After all, when DD and Mike Ilitch want their man–they get their man.

Manager Brad Ausmus told the Detroit News follow the signing:

"“Obviously, I think Max is one of the best pitchers in the game, and we will miss him. I will miss him taking the mound every five days, and miss him and his great sense of humor in the clubhouse. I wish him the best.”"

So the Max Scherzer era (and the constant non-rumor rumors) is over. Do the Tigers pursue James Shields or head into Spring Training with the rotation they have? I don’t think they will pursue Shields, but you never know.

One thing is for sure, its nice to be able to finally move past the “will they, wont they” and get ready for the players on this team.

Thanks for the memories Max. No hard feelings. Good luck in D.C.

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