How Does Max Scherzer Compare to the Current Rotation?

It is officially 2015, and Max Scherzer is still unsigned. We have to appreciate the demonstration of will power that Brian Cashman has exerted in not touching his checkbook this off-season. Actually, should we appreciate that? I constantly think of how 2009’s spending spree brought us our 27th World Series championship. It is the life of a Yankee fan, we buy other team’s big names and that wins us championships. Cashman’s desire and commitment to returning to the farm is commendable but it is getting met with the harsh, impatient demands of Yankee fans.

Cashman might be on to something though, because the big contracts for players who are getting up there in age proved to be problematic last season. I am sure it would be easier to write Max Scherzer and Scott Boras a big check compared to trading players and money for high-upside players. Is easier the right thing though? Let’s take a look at how Scherzer stacks up against the rest of the current rotation and see which method would be better for this off-season.

For starters, Scherzer has thrown for over 200 innings in each of the past two seasons, where the Yankees didn’t have a single pitcher throw 200 innings last season. Hiroki Kuroda was the closest at 199 innings pitched, and he chose to return to Japan to play next season. That leaves the next most innings logged at 199 2/3 by the recently acquired Nathan Eovaldi. And the Yankees have no idea how his game will translate to the American League East. The only other pitcher who tossed more than 100 innings that is still on the roster, is Masahiro Tanaka, who is coming back from a partially-torn UCL, so his health isn’t a given. If there was a reason to sign Scherzer, it could be the fact that they need an ace who will eat innings. That can easily lead to a couple more wins and less stress on the bullpen.

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Furthermore, Scherzer struck out 252 batters in 2015 and had a 10.3 K/9. Once again, the Yankees island of misfit starters did not come near that. Kuroda’s 146 strike outs was 106 less than Scherzer and his 6.6 K/9 was not even close. The difference in numbers is outstanding, and gets even more impressive when you compare him to our ace Tanaka again. Tanaka had only 141 strikeouts while posting a 9.3 K/9. He was impressive in his limited time, but he was not as impressive or consistent as Scherzer. Also, after Tanaka the only other pitcher to strike out over 100 batters was Dellin Betances, who is in the bullpen, along with the aforementioned Eovaldi.

If you examine the stats and even consider that Scherzer had a 6.0 WAR last season, and the leading Yankee was Betances with a 3.7 WAR, it is clear that Scherzer could provide a major impact. So while Cashman is going after the long, brutal goal of rebuilding the farm system for the future, he has to be cringing every day Scherzer is still on the market.

In my opinion I believe however painful the next couple of seasons will be with the penny-pinching and grooming of prospects, it is essential to rebuilding the organization. We witnessed the injury woes of older players with big contracts, who did more harm than good last season. So the Yankees need to ride out these deals and avoid giving out more until they can call upon the young guns who are the future of the organization.