Max Scherzer
Scherzer is far from an “underrated” pitcher in terms of talent, but in a class of younger and more dominant arms, his services may be overlooked. When he’s on top of his game, Scherzer is undoubtedly one of the most commanding pitchers in baseball. In his age 37 season, Scherzer went 15-4 with an ERA of 2.46. Despite his age, Scherzer pitched 179.1 innings, roughly 6 innings per start. His peripherals were just impeccable, a WHIP of 0.864, an xBA of .196, and a K rate of 34.1%. He also ranks in the top 8% for BB%, Whiff %, and xERA. Signing Scherzer would give the Yankees arguably the best 1-2 combination in baseball. As for a potential contract, it’s more than likely Scherzer will sign a short-term contract with an incredibly high AAV. For example, Justin Verlander coming off of TJ surgery received a 2-year, $50 million deal at 38 years old. A point of concern is that Scherzer had a “dead-arm” down the stretch, and many are skeptical in handing out large sums of money for a pitcher who’s durability is in question. While it could be a worrying sign, Scherzer has pitched over 150 innings each and every season of his career, and he is just 3 years removed from pitching over 220. The Yankees will face steep competition for Scherzer’s services this winter, with many contenders pushing for a proven winner to get them over the hump. Signing Scherzer would bring in the much-needed experience of winning a championship, as well as being a charismatic leader in the clubhouse.