While the Washington Nationals are looking to trade Max Scherzer as the team continues to fade in the NL East, there remains one hurdle in the way: Scherzer's no-trade clause.
The Nationals ace has a full no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he can deny a trade to a team he doesn't want to go to. While it's a small hurdle for Washington to get over, it could complicate things if there's a team willing to offer a lot more that Scherzer doesn't want to go to. The easiest thing for the Nationals to do is establish a list of teams he would accept a move to. And it seems like that's exactly what they're doing.
What has come from this is simple: don't expect Scherzer to go to the New York Yankees. This, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Yankees did inquire on Scherzer but were told they’re not on his list. For now they are monitoring Story (they don’t appear in on Baez and may see Turner as too pricey in terms of prospects). Marte also a possibility, and Marlins like to deal with them.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 28, 2021
What a savage move by Scherzer, but again, he has every right within the framework of his contract to say no. It does sound as though the Nationals' top pitcher would approve a trade to the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, or San Diego Padres, who all remain in hot pursuit of starting pitching. A three-way bidding war could start from the top dogs in the NL West, which could provide some entertaining theater.
Scherzer is by far the top arm available. Even though he would be a rental as he's set to hit free agency at the end of the year, the Nationals would figure to bring back plenty of great prospects in any trade for him.
While the Nationals are fading, Scherzer is having another solid year with a record of 7-4, an ERA sitting at 2.83 and a SO/9 at 12.2.
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