Report: Max Scherzer is seeking more than $200 million
SAN DIEGO — You didn’t think this dragged-out Jon Lester sweepstakes was going to be the big-money story of the offseason did you?
Max Scherzer is looming and his payday is going to be even bigger.
The Chicago Cubs agreed to pay Lester $155 million for six seasons Tuesday. Next, sometime between now and March, Scherzer’s going to get a deal that’s far more obscene.
According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Scherzer, 30, and his agent Scott Boras are seeking more than $200 million when it’s their turn to negotiate.
Here’s the list of MLB players who have signed contracts worth more than $200 million. You’ll notice it’s not extraordinarily long:
• Giancarlo Stanton ($325 million)
• Alex Rodriguez, ($275 million and $252 million)
• Miguel Cabrera, ($248 million)
• Albert Pujols ($240 million)
• Robinson Cano ($240 million)
• Joey Votto ($225 million)
• Clayton Kershaw ($215 million)
• Prince Fielder ($214 million)
You’ll also notice there’s only one pitcher on that list, so Scherzer will be joining elite company if he gets his $200 million payday. Don’t count it out, either. He already turned down a $144 million extension from the Detroit Tigers, then went out and finished another great season. The Tigers will want him back. Whichever team doesn’t get Lester will want him. The Los Angeles Dodgers could want him. And there’s always the Yankees.
For all the hype about Lester’s decision, Scherzer is actually the No. 1 free agent on the market, according to Jeff Passan’s Ultimate Free-Agent Tracker. Lester figured to get about $120-$130 million when the offseason started, and ended up with $155 million.
Since Lester has already driven up the market, and Scherzer employs baseball’s best big-contract agent, there’s no reason to think his name won’t be on that $200-million list soon enough.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
