Turning the page on Max Scherzer; Why Washington?

Oct 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Fans cheer before game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park between the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

MCB: What was the Nats’ fans reaction? If it is anything like Tigers’ fans every high-priced move is usually met with half excitement, half trepidation. Some say they are happy the owner just goes for it regardless of the money because after all, “it ain’t my money.” Still others worry about the long-term cost of the franchise, years down the road when the player is aging, not performing, the contract is too high for trades and money can’t be spent elsewhere. Was there a similar reaction in D.C.?

DOD: The reaction in Washington DC is that this Scherzer move not only helps the team win the World Series now, but gives it a chance to be competitive for many years to come. Part of that is the half-deferred part of Scherzer’s deal. While it could remind people of the contract that Bobby Bonilla still has with the Mets, this is a deal that also gives Washington some money to sign their own players.

One of the players that seem to be a guy the fanbase wants to keep is Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann has been great for the Nats each of the last two seasons and his last two-starts, a no-hitter and a near complete game against the Giants in the postseason have proven he can pitch in the big spots. With Washington having two pitchers (Zimmermann and Fister) heading for free agency, this kind of a deal has the fans thinking that not only could they keep the whole rotation together in 2015 if the deals that clubs present aren’t right in the eyes of the front office, but they could also give players like Zimmermann and shortstops Ian Desmond some long-term contracts of their own.

Up next, who Max replaces in the already-stellar Nationals’ rotation…