Thoughts On Why Max Scherzer To DC Is Ok For St. Louis Cardinals

Sunday evening Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the top pitcher on the Free Agent market and St. Louis native Max Scherzer was set to receive a contract from the Washington Nationals for seven years and $210 million.

Here’s Rosenthal’s tweet:

This, of course, means that Scherzer won’t be pitching in his home town. And, that’s OK. Here’s why:

1. The St. Louis Cardinals DO have a solid rotation now. Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn, John Lackey and either Marco Gonzales or Carlos Martinez is a pretty great rotation. Another starter would have been great because that’s a lot of youth in Gonzales and Martinez. And Waino and Wacha had some injury issues in 2014.

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2. That’s a lot of money for a lot of years for a pitcher. The Cardinals have historically never paid a multi-million contract for a pitcher for more than five years. The staff ace, Waino, only has a deal worth $97 million over five years. Scherzer got something similar to what Albert Pujols got with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. A loaded contract with a guaranteed position after retirement. It’s wonderful for him and his family. It’s just not something most teams, the Cardinals included, don’t do. Most former Cardinals have positions with the organization some how, it’s just not written in the contract and guaranteed in a player contract. Good for Scherzer.

3. There’s always a trade. In addition to Scherzer, the Cardinals have been linked to potential trades for David Price or Cole Hamels. After the Scherzer signing, I think I would rather see the Cardinals trade for Hamels as the cost wouldn’t be as costly as Price. But. In Mo We Trust, right?

4. Other Free Agents? Now that Scherzer is off the list, other free agent pitchers and teams can make moves knowing the market. James Shields was linked to the Cardinals and is still an option.

5. We get to make fun of see a “Super Rotation.” Scherzer is getting added to a rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Doug Fister. On Twitter, I saw this potential rotation be called “historically elite.” That’s nice and all. But. When have any of these guys, other than Scherzer, been proven enough to be included in an elite context? Be honest! I’ll give in that it will be a good rotation. But “historically elite” is a bit of a push and I look forward to making fun of watching it.