MLB Chicago Cubs

Max Scherzer Is Perfect Fit With Chicago Cubs

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By @JordanWevers

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Starting pitcher Max Scherzer is arguably the finest commodity on the free-agent market this MLB offseason. He’s going to be looking for a multi-year deal somewhere in the neighbourhood of $20 million annually. A great way for GM Theo Epstein to instill a future sense of optimism in fans of the Chicago Cubs would be to anoint Scherzer their ace of the future.

Epstein just finished putting in place another vital piece of the formula by coaxing two-time AL Manager of the Year Joe Maddon to be his partner for the next half decade. That news alone will bring about lofty expectations in the Windy City. Factor in the swelling hype of the Cubs’ farm system overflowing with top prospects, and those expectations will become even higher.

These things should only help entice a player like Scherzer into wanting to be a member of this franchise. Any player in their prime such as he should be frothing at the mouth with the notion of bringing a world championship back to a club void from that experience for over a century now. The city would be in a perpetual state of partying and celebration for days. It would be Gatsbian in nature — a true spectacle.

Jake Arrieta emerged as a talented arm for the Cubs last season. The righty posted a 2.53 ERA to go with four games where he reached double-digit strikeouts. In fact, across 156.2 IP, Arrieta (167 SO) was arguably a better pitcher than Scherzer was in his first 161 innings of 2014 (3.13 ERA, 182 SO). Twenty-four-year old Kyle Hendricks and 27-year old Travis Wood would also play strong supporting roles in the rotation.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo appears to be a legitimate blue-chip bopper to build a lineup around, so it’s not as if the offense will be entirely dependent on a number of prospects in the coming years.

If Scherzer needed any more incentive to mull over an offer from the Cubs, he should look no further than placing a friendly phone call to his former teammate, David Price.

Price spent the first six-and-a-half years of his career under the mentorship of Maddon, who did a lot for the Tampa Bay Rays with limited resources in a city seemingly apathetic towards America’s pastime. Price would undoubtedly have nothing but great things to say about his former skipper.

With a lot of top prospects tied up for years to come on either entry level contracts and (or) arbitration years, Epstein should have the payroll flexibility to present a very genuine offer to the 30-year-old Scherzer. It makes sense for both sides, as Scherzer has logged 30 or more starts per season dating back to 2009. It would be a reliable investment for Epstein, and the returns look promising judging by Scherzer’s career trajectory.

Jordan Wevers is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanWevers, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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