Climbing Tal's Hill
Fansided

What are the chances the Astros trade for Max Scherzer?

By Andrew Gleinser

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of a double header at Nationals Park on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of a double header at Nationals Park on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 8: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 8, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 8: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 8, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Could the Astros Snag Him?

The first question would be if he’ll even be available, and chances are he won’t be. Entering play on Saturday, the Nationals are 41-40, just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. With that being the case, the Nationals may actually be buyers at the trade deadline, depending on how they do in July. With a solid month, they’ll be in the thick of the playoff race.

It would take a monumentally bad July for Washington to consider selling. Even if they did, I don’t think they would trade Scherzer unless they were completely blown away with an offer. They would be more likely to trade guys who are expendable or who are in the last years of their deals.

With Bryce Harper gone to Philadelphia, Scherzer is now the face of their franchise and is under contract for two more seasons. Even if the Nationals crater in July, they would fully intend to be contenders in 2020. You don’t do that by trading your ace away.

Plus, let’s not forget the Astros had a deal in place for Harper last year before Nationals ownership nixed it. If their ownership wouldn’t trade a pending free agent in Harper, they surely won’t trade Scherzer. The idea of moving him may simply be a non-starter.

Still, the Nationals front office would at least listen to trade proposals if they fall out of contention in July. But it would probably take an astronomical offer to pry Scherzer loose, and the Astros might not be interested in doing that.

Home/Astros News