Reunion with Tigers' former ace could end career in Detroit on high note

Although Max Scherzer didn't truly reach his peak until he was a Washington National, the Tigers will always hold onto the reality that his start came in Detroit. After being traded to the Tigers in the 2009-2010 offseason, he spent three years pitching almost 200 innings each season with mixed results, but then he completely took off in 2013 as part of the Tigers' unbelievable Scherzer-Justin Verlander-Doug Fister-Aníbal Sánchez-Rick Porcello rotation, the last Tigers team to make it to the postseason before 2024.

2013 was the year of Scherzer's first All-Star appearance, his first Cy Young, and the first time he received MVP votes.

After their 2014 postseason collapse, the Tigers had to rebuild, and they let Scherzer go in free agency. He's now entering free agency for the third time, has already said he won't retire, and is likely to leave the Rangers as they attempt to get below the luxury tax threshold.

Scherzer's been banged up for some time now. He hasn't been an All-Star since 2021 and has battled multiple injuries this season, which kept him to just 43 1/3 innings.

However, as the Tigers attempt to build a new rotation for 2025, might they consider Scherzer for one last shot at glory with his old squad?

Tigers Rumors: Could Max Scherzer be smart addition for Detroit?

We understand that sentimentality can only get you so far, and Scherzer hasn't looked like himself over the last few years. However, he did have a sub-2.50 ERA with the Mets as recently as 2022, and if he can stay healthy, there's a lot of room for optimism for what he could bring to a potential last season in baseball.

Justin Verlander has also teased fans about being open to a potential reunion with his old team the year before he retires, and he and Scherzer are in very similar boats late in their careers. Both had great 2022 seasons, they reunited with the Mets in 2023, were both traded at the deadline that year when New York just couldn't win with them, and headed to Texas teams, where they both got hurt and could hardly pitch in 2024.

There would be reason to be concerned about having either of them in the rotation when they're both in their 40s. But one more shot at the World Series title that always escaped them when the Tigers were at their absolute peak? It's something to consider, at least.