Scott Boras: Max Scherzer trade talks ‘moot’ with Nationals in contention

The agent of Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer clarified comments he made last week in an interview. When Scott Boras told NBC Sports Chicago a potential trade of Scherzer would need to “lead to something” it was presumed he meant a contract extension.

However, speaking with The Washington Post on Sunday, Boras says that’s not what he meant. In fact he and Scherzer have not discussed any parameters of a potential trade. No, the acquiring team would not need an extension in place for Scherzer to waive his 10-and-5 rights no-trade clause. Instead “lead to something” was in reference to “contract amendments, it does not necessarily mean an extension.”

But, Boras added a hypothetical trade of Scherzer is “moot” as long as the Nationals are contention for the postseason.

“Because he is where he is contractually, he’s going to have a lot of these things talked about,” Boras said, per Jesse Dougherty. “But the reality of it is it’s a moot point knowing where they’re at. They’re competitive, and they’re going to be in this race all year along.”

Scherzer, who will turn 37 years of age in July, is in the final year of a seven-year $210 million deal with the Nationals. Following Washington’s slow start this season, the three-time Cy Young winner has surfaced as a trade candidate.

But, Washington has won 11 of their last 14 games to climb to second place and four games out in the NL East with a 37-38 record. They enter a pivotal stretch that starts with a makup game with the first-place Mets on Monday.

Scherzer is off to an incredible start this season in what’s already a Hall of Fame career. Through 15 starts, he has a 7-4 record with career-bests of 2.14 ERA and 0.849 WHIP.

Any slip in Washington’s season will push Scherzer at the top pitching trade candidate. But for now Boras has made it clear, Washington is the place of choice for his client.