According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Philadelphia Phillies were in attendance for a throwing session Max Scherzer held. Ragazzo mentioned that multiple teams were in attendance for the session, which took place earlier this week. Scherzer has been connected to the Toronto Blue Jays recently. In all likelihood, he will end up signing a one-year deal as a free agent. It is possible that Scherzer could sign with the Phillies based on this information. He has been mentioned throughout the offseason as a veteran pitcher the Phillies could sign. Currently, the team has an opening for a pitcher on the major league roster after Jeff Hoffman signed with the Blue Jays.
Sources: free agent RHP Max Scherzer threw in front of teams at Cressey Sports Performance’s pro day earlier in the week
I’m told Scouts liked what they saw: Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies, Braves, Cubs, Red Sox were among those present
Scherzer has been in…
— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 24, 2025
Last season, in nine starts for the Texas Rangers, Scherzer had a 2-4 record with a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts, along with a 101 ERA+ and a 4.18 FIP. He also had a 22.6% strikeout rate and a 5.6% walk rate. Scherzer has three career Cy Young Awards and eight All-Star appearances. Heading into his age-40 season, he is 11th on the all-time strikeout list with 3,407. Justin Verlander is the lone active pitcher with more career wins and strikeouts than Scherzer. The veteran righty has pitched in 30 postseason games during his career. Scherzer will almost undoubtedly end up being voted into the Hall of Fame when all is said and done.
The Potential Role Max Scherzer Could Play on the Phillies
Starting Pitcher
Scherzer could join the Phillies to be in the starting rotation. However, this scenario is not as likely as it might have been earlier in the offseason. Jesús Luzardo joining the Phillies via trade from the Miami Marlins affected this scenario. Also, Andrew Painter is on a workload management plan and is expected to pitch in the majors sometime this season. The Phillies have a decent amount of starting pitching depth on the 40-man roster at the moment. Mick Abel, Jean Cabrera, Moisés Chace, and Seth Johnson are several options already on the 40-man roster. Joe Ross was also signed earlier this offseason to replace Spencer Turnbull in the so-called swingman role. There is not really room for Scherzer in the rotation without additional moves being made.
Closer?
After the departure of Hoffman to the Blue Jays, the Phillies need some help in the high-leverage relief pitcher department. Jordan Romano signed with the Phillies earlier this offseason to help, but there is still an open spot on the roster. There has been some internet speculation that Scherzer could move to the bullpen, which would likely need to happen if he were to sign with the Phillies. During his major league career, he has pitched in relief nine times in regular season games and five times in the postseason. In 2021 Scherzer recorded a save during a postseason game while on the Los Angeles Dodgers. At this point in his career, trying his hand as a closer is not a bad idea, and he is an intriguing option for the Phillies to pursue.
Photo Credit: © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
