The 2025 MLB season is just around the corner, and fans will get to divulge in another 162 games with their favorite team. The teams themselves have reloaded with new talent and now have another shot at the coveted World Series Championship. The New York Yankees have overhauled their roster and are looking to add another former champion to their roster, starting pitcher Max Scherzer. The question is, is he too old to create an impact on the mound?

The Yankees Pivot From Soto

The New York Yankees suffered a massive loss after losing out to the New York Mets on Juan Soto. The Yankees pivoted and utilized the money that was supposed to be for Juan Soto to create a more balanced team. 

Cody Bellinger, Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Paul Goldschmidt are the new faces fans will get to see in pinstripes in the coming weeks. The infield needs to be addressed, as Gleyber Torres is gone, and there is no Caleb Durbin to fill the second baseman spot. Despite requiring additional infield help, the Yankees have turned to pitching again as they’ve had interest in Max Scherzer. 

Max Scherzer Is A Future HOFer

Max Scherzer’s resume, which he accumulated over his 17-year career, has future Hall of Famer written all over it. Scherzer has a career ERA of 3.15, 216 wins, over 3,400 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.078. He is also a two-time World Series champion, an eight-time All-Star, and a three-time Cy Young winner. Scherzer is a fantastic pitcher that the Yankees would love to have; the only issue is that he is 40 years old and is going into his 18th season in the MLB. 

Being 40 years old hasn’t stopped a pitcher from being great. Randy Johnson posted a 2.60 ERA with 290 strikeouts in the 35 games he started in the 2004 season at the age of 40, and Roger Clemens posted a 1.87 ERA, only allowed 6.4 hits per nine innings, and a season WHIP of 1.008. 

While it’s not impossible for Max Scherzer to have a bounce-back season, it’s still a worrying thought that the Yankees and other teams have about Scherzer. In 2024, Scherzer only pitched 43 innings after being placed on the injured list late in September, which ended his season.

 In those 43 innings pitched, he had an ERA of 3.95 with 40 strikeouts but had 8.3 hits allowed per nine innings. Scherzer’s small sample size isn’t the most worrying case, but injuries and age may catch up to him if he signs up for another MLB season.

Would The Yankees Become Too Old If They Get Max Scherzer?

If the Boys In Pinstripes acquire Scherzer, that’s another former All-Star player reaching the twilight of their career. Acquiring Paul Goldschmidt was a bit worrying, with Goldschmidt reaching 37, and adding Scherzer to the mix might scream injury list. Another issue would be that the Yankees would be too stacked in the starting pitching column and would leave no space for Scherzer. The Yankees may be interested in Scherzer if he accepts a move into the middle relief position. 

Max Scherzer started off his career as a relief pitcher on his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks and became a full-time starter the next season. It would be a full-circle moment for Max Scherzer if he chooses to become a relief pitcher, potentially ending his career the way he started it. 

The only way this can be a good deal for both parties is if Scherzer accepts a role as a relief pitcher and can do his best to prevent potential injuries. At the age of 40 and coming off some injuries, the risk of acquiring the future Hall of Famer is high. 

End Of Max Scherzer Rant

There is no doubt that Max Scherzer is almost guaranteed a spot at Cooperstown, and it would be a storybook send-off to Scherzer if he ends his career as a relief pitcher. Being in his 40s, his health is a concern not because of his skill set but because of his health.

 The Yankees should pass on him if he tries to negotiate a starting pitcher spot, but you can never have too much pitching, and having Max Scherzer as your relief pitcher can potentially be advantageous for New York if he can stay healthy.

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