MLB Trade Grade: San Diego Padres ‘close’ to acquiring Max Scherzer from Nationals
By Josh Hill
We finally know where Max Scherzer is going to end up, as the San Diego Padres are where the bottle stopped spinning.
After months of speculation, which intensified over the last few days, we now know where Max Scherzer is going to finish the 2021 season.
Scherzer was the hottest name on the market as Friday’s deadline approached, with all three NL West contenders bidding for his services. He’s indeed headed west, but both the Dodgers and the Giants struck out on getting the Nationals an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Ken Rosenthal was the first to break news that Scherzer was headed to the San Diego Padres. The deal is reportedly ‘close’ but we all know what that really means. The Padres have led the pack for a while now and things are close enough that the finer details are merely being worked out.
BREAKING: Padres close to acquiring Max Scherzer, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2021
For what it’s worth, and because the trade isn’t officially official, it was pointed out that Scherzer has veto power and ultimately can kill a trade to the Padres if he wanted to.
Padres are working hard to try to reach agreement on a Scherzer deal with Nats. They may be in the lead but no sense the Dodgers or others are out yet. Also very important; in the end, while Scherzer will consider these finalists, with full veto rights, he can call the shot.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2021
We all knew this was coming.
For months it’s been speculated not if but when Scherzer would be traded and where to. Hours before the trade came together, the Nationals pitcher spoke to the media and delivered a truly heartfelt and emotional message to fans that felt like a farewell.
“This is where my family started. I came here without kids, now I’ve got three kids,” Scherzer said. “It’s been a very fun experience for me being in DC. What can you say about the fans? That’s where that championship will always mean something to all of us.”
MLB Trade: Padres-Nationals Max Scherzer trade grade
San Diego is a massive winner, not just in this trade but for the entire deadline period. Before adding Scherzer, the Padres traded for Pirates star Adam Frazier and are looking at Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel as well.
It’s hard to know where to start when talking about how great of an addition Scherzer is, but a quick glance at the Padres rotation tells you all you need to know.
- Yu Darvish
- Blake Snell
- Max Scherzer
- Chris Paddack
- Joe Musgrove
That’s just a projection, as Scherzer will likely pitch higher in the rotation and there’s still guys like Ryan Weathers and Dinelson Lamet to consider. But you get the point, the Padres pitching is stacked.
Of course, if this whole deal falls apart in the 11th hour, it’ll be a giant disaster for the Padres. But until then, and as long as it looks like Scherzer is heading to San Diego, this is a huge move for a World Series contender.
Padres Grade: A
Nationals Grade: TBD