Tigers willing to "spend big" to keep Max

[Pugz]

The Detroit Tigers really want right-hander Max Scherzer back, and they're willing to spend a lot of money to make sure it happens.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Tigers have jumped into the Scherzer sweepstakes and are prepared to be aggressive in their efforts at retaining the hard-throwing ace. Even if it means a $100-million rotation next season.

The market for Scherzer has been slow to materialize while left-hander Jon Lester mulls several offers around $150 million at this week's winter meetings. Lester is expected to make a decision by Wednesday.

Scherzer, 30, is reportedly seeking a contract in excess of Lester's after turning down a six-year, $144-million offer from the Tigers during spring training. The seven-year veteran posted career highs in strikeouts and innings pitched in 2014, leading a high-priced Tigers rotation into the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Olney also reports that pursuing Scherzer would not affect the club's plans to keep lefty David Price in Detroit next season. Price is projected to earn around $19 million in arbitration this winter, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

 

[Teagz]

Let him go

 

[RipCity32]

Dombrowski said this is false, fwiw. 

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

“There’s not one thing that’s changed from the Detroit Tigers’ perspective,” he said. “Our situation has not changed. I’m not sure where various rumors start, but our situation has not changed whatsoever. …
 
Asked if it might be a leverage ploy, Dombrowski said, “I don’t really know that answer, but I can 100 percent guarantee you that our situation has not changed whatsoever. We’ve had no further conversations as far as negotiations since Friday or increase in offers. I can’t say that anybody hasn’t talked to anybody from their organization or if they’ve reached out to us, but our situation has not changed at all. We’re very happy with our starting staff as we sit here right now.”
 
Dombrowski went on to say that “we’re really not seeking starting pitching,” and that Scherzer’s situation won’t hold up other needs they’re trying to fill.
 
“And the other thing I’ll say is I hope Mr. I didn’t see that. Because he’d be saying, ‘Well where did that come from?'”