5 teams that should make the Nationals a trade offer for Max Scherzer

The Yankees have won two of their last three going into Friday, so things may be getting on a better track. But the big issues are still there–an underachieving offense, lack of starting pitching after Gerrit Cole–and speculation about manager Aaron Boone’s status is not going away just yet.

But if the Yankees can get on track and sustain it, a move to get Scherzer will become viable.

Virtually all offseason, headlined by their trade for Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals looked like the only team trying to win the NL Central in 2021. The rotation could use some reinforcement though, with Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, John Gant, the inconsistent Carlos Martinez and Kwang-Hyun Kim right now. With rookie Johan Oviedo entering the fray next week, they will go with a six-man rotation for a time in the name of rest. Coming off the short 2020 campaign, that kind of plan makes sense.

The Cardinals generally aren’t afraid to make moves, and Scherzer would be quite an addition. With having a say in where he goes, or if he goes anywhere, being born in St. Louis, being drafted by the Cardinals out of high school and going to the University of Missouri may create a tipping point for Scherzer.

Despite an AL-worst starting rotation ERA of 5.29 entering Friday, the Angels are staying afloat at 9-8 behind a Mike Trout-led offense that’s in the top-tier of MLB in many categories. A long-running need for a top-end starter remains, though not for a lack of effort.

With the Astros looking vulnerable, and the Mariners and A’s having to prove their staying power, the AL West is absolutely there for the taking. A deal to put Scherzer atop their starting rotation would go a long way to ending a seven-year postseason drought in Anaheim.