Max Scherzer appreciates chance to win ‘the ultimate prize’ in Los Angeles | by Rowan Kavner | Aug, 2021

by Rowan Kavner

Max Scherzer knew after he departed the mound July 29 in Philadelphia it was doubtless his final time pitching in a Nationals jersey.

With the commerce deadline quick approaching, his teammates stored him updated as rumors circulated about potential touchdown spots for the three-time Cy Younger Award winner. And with 10 years of service time and 5 consecutive seasons with the identical crew, Scherzer had a say in the place that vacation spot could be.

As an alternative of demanding to hitch a selected crew, he let the Nationals know the place he would settle for a commerce. There have been sure components at play: He needed to remain within the Nationwide League, play in heat climate and have an opportunity to win. Scherzer was privy to San Diego’s curiosity when reviews unfold on Twitter, however he hadn’t gotten the decision from common supervisor Mike Rizzo saying it was a performed deal.

“The truth that Twitter was going off and I hadn’t gotten the cellphone name, I knew one thing else was most likely nonetheless within the weeds,” Scherzer mentioned. “That’s what it’s. You’ll be able to’t at all times fall for Twitter, however Twitter normally is fairly good.”

Shortly, a brand new suitor had emerged. Inside hours, it grew to become clear Scherzer was Los Angeles certain. The Dodgers formally traded for Scherzer and Trea Turner on the day of the deadline, ending a busy week that Scherzer described with one phrase.

“Loopy,” Scherzer mentioned, earlier than elaborating. “Loopy is the understatement, too. It will’ve been quite a bit simpler earlier than youngsters and canine. Now with three youngsters and 4 canine, life’s much more hectic now. So, we’re selecting the circus up from DC and attempting to get it out to LA as fast as potential.”

The Dodgers match the invoice for all his wishes. And if the sizable expectations positioned upon Scherzer to assist the Dodgers defend their World Collection title is including any strain on the eight-time All-Star, he’s not letting it present forward of his first begin along with his new crew.

“I’m glad I’m a part of a company that desires to win and has its sights on the last word prize,” Scherzer mentioned. “That’s what we play the sport for, to try this. I’ve been within the league lengthy sufficient to know these issues don’t at all times occur and don’t at all times fall into place the way in which they do. It takes plenty of work, it takes plenty of crew chemistry, it takes all people taking part in their finest baseball in October.”

Scherzer would know.

The 37-year-old gained the 2019 World Collection in his fifth of seven seasons with the Nationals.

“The flag’s fly endlessly,” Scherzer mentioned. “On the finish of the day, that’s what we play the sport for, to win the World Collection. We achieved that aim. Clearly, had discussions with Mike Rizzo in regards to the path of the crew. His phrases have been that the roster wanted to be retooled. Given the place all people was at and their contract standing, he wanted to offer a facelift to the group.”

The Dodgers, in want of a restock to their shorthanded rotation, have been thrilled to be on the receiving finish of that facelift. Scherzer has garnered a popularity as one of many extra intense gamers within the sport, however he mentioned it’s not troublesome to reset as he joins a clubhouse stuffed with gamers he competed in opposition to for the final 14 years of his Main League profession.

His course of assimilating to the Dodger clubhouse is made simpler by his familiarity and dealing relationship with lots of the Dodger veteran gamers, together with the perennial All-Stars he’s met all through the years. He joined the crew for the primary time final weekend in Arizona.

“That was fairly cool coming in with the ability to give Albert Pujols a hug,” Scherzer mentioned. “You’ll be able to say that a couple of bunch of those different guys as nicely. That is an especially proficient group. I’ve gotten an opportunity to compete in opposition to them over time and understand what they’ll convey and what this group has performed over the previous handful of years and clearly what they’re able to doing this 12 months. It’s enjoyable to hitch these guys as a result of now we have an important likelihood to win, nevertheless it’s going to take plenty of work to get there. Nothing’s assured but.”

That’s why the Dodgers made the transfer they did. They enter Wednesday with the third-best file within the Nationwide League (64–44) however 3 ½ video games behind the first-place Giants and with a roster nonetheless absorbing plenty of key absences, significantly to the rotation.

Their hope is Scherzer, who will debut Wednesday in opposition to the Astros, and Turner, who is predicted to fly to Los Angeles this weekend as he works his method again from the COVID-IL listing, can present a raise.

“All I can do is go on the market and pitch my sport,” Scherzer mentioned.