LAKELAND, Fla. (Mar. 23, 2014) — Tigers fans better enjoy seeing Max Scherzer in a Tigers’ uniform this season. It could be the last time that happens.
Scherzer, who will turn 30 in July, is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of 2014 season. He has said he wants to a remain a Tiger. The Tigers have said they want him to remain a Tiger. So far, however, the two sides haven’t been able to agree on a contract extension, and today the Tigers said any new contract will have to wait until after the season.
In an official statement released this morning the Tigers noted, “The Detroit Tigers have made a substantial, long-term contract extension offer to Max Scherzer that would have placed him among the highest paid pitcher in baseball, and the offer was rejected.”
Along with reiterating their desire to keep Scherzer in a Tigers’ uniform for many years to come, the Tigers said no contract negotiations would occur during the season and they would offer no further comment.
Scherzer is represented by super-agent Scott Boras, who often has his clients test the free agent-waters instead of signing contract extensions with a team before the free-agency period begins.
