Max Scherzer's former team could steal pitcher from Rangers in free agency

Rumors are a dime a dozen. Given we have not even reached December, it is not known which ones should be taken seriously. But, suggestions involving future Hall of Famers are always worth diving into.

A recent Bleacher Report article predicted that former Texas Rangers starter and current free agent Max Scherzer could reunite with the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. The piece anticipates a one-year, $15 million deal that would allow the ace to return to the place where his career started.

"Scherzer's body just didn't cooperate this year. He started late because of back surgery, and he was then sidetracked by various ailments before he finally shut it down early in September," Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer wrote.

"Even before then, though, the future Hall of Famer had made it clear he's not done yet. He's worth taking a chance on just because of who he is, and then there's the prospect that he could bounce back following an offseason in which he won't be recovering from surgery."

Max Scherzer's former team could steal pitcher from Rangers in free agency

"Mad Max' posted a 3.95 ERA across 43.1 innings and nine starts last season. It was clear that his recovery kept him from finding his footing. By the time other injuries popped up, it was too late to get into a solid rhythm.

The 40-year-old spent the first two seasons of his big league tenure in Arizona. He went 9-15 with a 3.86 ERA across 226.1 innings. That initial stint helped Scherzer establish himself as a serviceable arm who could develop into something more.

This is not the first rumor that has suggested Scherzer could reunite with a former team. Some have speculated that he could return to the Detroit Tigers this winter, and it is fully possible that he would opt to join a franchise he is already familiar with.

It is not clear if the Rangers want to make a serious run at Scherzer. Even if the veteran's price tag is not what it has been in years past, Texas still has other areas they must address.

The 2024 Winter Meetings are almost here. Once they arrive, it is reasonable to expect more clarity regarding what Scherzer and the Rangers plan to do.