Max Scherzer Pulled From Start; Trade This Week "Quite Possible"

The Washington National are struggling along, losers of 7 of their last 10 games, and in 4th place in the NL East division. They're 7 games back of the 1st place New York Mets, and, maybe for the first time this season, considering trading their ace, and future Hall of Famer, Max Scherzer.

Max Scherzer* is being discussed in potential trades, and while the Nats (famous for ‘19 WS comeback win) are investigating both buy/sell scenarios, they are 7 games back and a Scherzer trade suddenly seems quite possible. He alone would transform thin SP market. *has veto rights
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2021

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Nationals' current situation means that a Scherzer trade "suddenly seems quite possible."

He has actually been pulled from his start Saturday night, though the word is it's not due to an impending trade:

Max Scherzer will not start tonight, the Nationals say, due to "mild discomfort in his right tricep." Jon Lester will start in his place.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 24, 2021

His absence, according to the Nationals, is "mild discomfort in his right tricep." Hmm.

General manager Mike Rizzo indicated earlier this week that the Nationals would be taking a "dual" buy-sell approach at this year's deadline. At that point, they were 5 games back of the Mets; As of Saturday, they now sit 7 games back, and time is running out before next Friday's trade deadline.

Scherzer becomes a free agent after this season, and despite being only a rental for two months, he could bring in a pretty nice haul for the Nationals, given his credentials. A 3-time Cy Young Award winner, and an 8-time All-Star, a generational ace like Scherzer could put any contending team over the top.

The Nationals certainly don't want to lose Scherzer, but it's not out of the question to deal him somewhere he'd like to go to have a chance at another ring, then re-sign the 36-year-old in the offseason.

The next few days will be make-or-break on the Nationals season, and a crucial decision on Scherzer.

Less than a week before the trade deadline ... Does Scherzer make another start for the Nationals? https://t.co/f0BSYyP4EO
— Brandon Wile (@Brandon_N_Wile) July 24, 2021

Photo Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports