Detroit Tigers: Top 5 Moments In 2014

Sep 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(37) signs autographs before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Max Scherzer Rejects 6 Year $144 Million Offer

Days before the Detroit Tigers were to open the 2014 season, Max Scherzer rejected $144 million offer to stay in Detroit for the next 6 years.  Scherzer would later call the rejection a bet on himself in a contract year.

The rejection made big news at time but there was no way anyone could predict how it would shape the rest of the season.

The uncertainty over Scherzer’s contract would hang over the Detroit Tigers the entire season. This was especially true during the trade deadline when Dave Dombrowksi traded Drew Smyly, Austin Jackson and prospect Wily Adames for former Cy Young Award winner David Price.  The trade brought in a top tier starter for the stretch run. David Price is also under club control an additional season making him solid insurance in the event Max Scherzer didn’t re-sign.

As lauded as the deal was by pundits it came at a big price. The loss of Austin Jackson immediately effected the Detroit Tigers offense that was never the same afterward. The rest of the cost will determined by the careers of Drew Smyly and Wily Adames while in Tampa Bay.

The uncertainty over Scherzer’s contract also effected the Tigers approach to the trade deadline.  After trading Rick Porcello for Yoenis Cepedes, General Manager Dave Dombrowski felt the need to replace Scherzer in the rotation by trading for right-handed starter Alfredo Simon from the Cincinatti Reds.  Once again the deal was costly and required two prospects in Eugneio Suarez and 2013 1st round pick Johnathan Crawford to pull it off.

It is possible the Max Scherzer could still sign with the Tigers before the 2015 season but the damage to the Tigers future may have already been done.

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