PHOENIX – The Tigers almost certainly made their last best shot to sign Max Scherzer long term in spring training, when the righty rejected a six-year, $144 million overture.
As general manager Dave Dombrowski said, “Back then only we could have signed him. Now, 29 other teams could sign him. As you see, the odds don’t improve.”
Nevertheless, Dombrowski feels in a something-old, something-new kind of way – Justin Verlander rebounding and David Price present all year – Detroit will have a fine rotation even without Scherzer. When he added in Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello, Dombrowski said, “I think that still might be the best rotation in the majors.”
On July 31, Dombrowski traded Drew Smyly, Austin Jackson and a minor leaguer in a three-team trade that brought Price. He said the priority was going after a championship in 2014. However, he said the ancillary benefit was Price still had the 2015 season to go until free agency and would provide a hedge against Scherzer leaving.
That is why, despite the looming free agency, Dombrowski indicated he will not be trading Price this offseason. The Tigers are a win-now team and will go for it again next year.
Verlander underwent core muscle surgery last January. Dombrowski said the righty is a workout enthusiast who was not able to go through his normal offseason regimen because of the surgery and got behind in 2014 and never caught up. He had his worst season, going 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA.
This was in the first season of his seven-year, $180 million extension. His fastball average velocity sank to 92.3 mph – down more than 3 mph from his prime – and he relied on it less often. However, Dombrowski insists he is not overly concerned. He feels Verlander will return to a familiar offseason routine this offseason to regain strength. Plus, he said, the contract was signed with eyes wide open. The understanding was Verlander would lose velocity during the life of the deal, but his overall repertoire – strong slider, curve, changeup, too – plus his savvy and determination made Verlander a good long-term bet.
“King Felix [Hernandez] doesn’t hit the mid-90s a lot and he is still elite,” Dombrowski said. “Verlander has four quality pitches. I don’t worry about 99-100 [mph]. He is a quality pitcher who can win without it.”
Zimmermann rumor reveals Nationals’ pressure point
A rumor hit the General Managers’ meetings Tuesday night that the Cubs were talking to the Nationals about obtaining Jordan Zimmermann. But as quickly as the buzz came, it was dismissed. Obtaining a starter one year from free agency and giving up a piece of their impressive prospect pile is not sound strategy for the Cubs.
But it did reveal a conundrum for the Nationals. They are among the most obvious win-now clubs. They arguably have the best on-roster talent in the majors. However, five of their most important players (one-fifth of their roster) can be free agents after next season: Zimmermann and fellow starter Doug Fister, shortstop Ian Desmond, center fielder Denard Span and setup man Tyler Clippard.
It leaves Washington in a tricky spot: They want to keep it together to chase a title next season. But they can’t re-sign everyone and not maximizing some pieces in trades now might hurt the organization in the long term.
“You focus on 2015, but you have to stay global and view the big picture and have a balance,” Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said. “We have a formidable team, but you do have to consider several different routes.”
Cliff Lee untradeable — for now
The Phillies currently have just about every veteran making money on the trade block as they more aggressively move into a rebuild phase.
But Cliff Lee is not there yet. Only, however, because he missed the final two months with an elbow strain and was limited to just 13 starts last season. However, his agent, Darek Braunecker, said Lee is feeling good and about to begin a throwing program earlier than normal and should be a full go in spring training.
If he proves he is healthy, Lee immediately becomes a pitcher to watch for the in-season trade market. However, he is 36. And he has an onerous contract. Lee is due $25 million in 2015 and has a vesting option for 2016 at $27.5 million — or a $12.5 million buyout. Thus, he will be paid either one year at $37.5 million or two years at $52.5 million.
Either way, Philadelphia would have to eat contract money or take a bad one back to make a deal feasible – and that is if Lee proves he is healthy.
A.J. Burnett moving west?
In the past, when he has had a chance to control such things, A.J. Burnett had picked teams with proximity to Maryland, in part because his wife did not like to fly. It is one thing that led to him signing with the Phillies last year.
However, Braunecker said that restriction does not exist as Burnett looks for a team in 2015. Burnett rejected a $12.75 million player option with the Phillies for next year, a surprise because the righty is unlikely to receive that much in this market after going 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA in 2014.
Braunecker, though, said all that matters to Burnett, who turns 38 in January and could be facing his last season, is finding a contender. And geography will not matter in that quest.
So keep an eye out for the Angels, who want to deepen the back end of their rotation. The Angels have had interest in Burnett previously and looked into acquiring him as recently as last July. The Rangers also have liked Burnett in the past and are looking for rotation help.