MLB: Top Free Agent Starting Pitchers Available This Winter

Aug 17, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) walks to the dugout after being replaced in the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA, 220.1 innings, 252 K’s, 127 ERA+)

Max Scherzer gambled on himself and won big…really big.

The Detroit Tigers offered Scherzer a 6-year $144 million contract this spring after winning the Cy Young award in 2013. He said thanks, but no thanks. He bet he could go out and repeat what he did last season.

He may not win the Cy Young this season, but he certainly repeated the great season. He led the American League in victories. After throwing 214.1 innings last season, he threw more this season. His strikeout total also went up. The amount required to sign him most certainly went up as well.

The Tigers will no doubt make Scherzer the qualifying offer, so any team that signs him knows what it will cost them. For Scherzer, it will be well worth it. There will be some big market teams that will be after Scherzer’s abilities.

After the postseason failures the Tigers have suffered over the last few years, they may start to make changes. They have several free agents, and if there is a bidding war for Scherzer, his total salary could go north of $200 million. The Tigers have decisions to make this offseason.

After trading for David Price, the writing is on the wall for Detroit fans — Scherzer will be gone. The Tigers will focus on extending Price and developing a young pitcher for the fifth starter’s spot.

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