Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel and Nationals ace Max Scherzer headline Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper’s list of “dream” MLB trade deadline targets for the Giants.
Imagine Max Scherzer toeing the rubber for the Giants in front of a packed Oracle Park. MLB executives reportedly can see just that happening.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday morning that execs see two teams as the perfect fit for the three-time Cy Young award winner: The Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. And because of the Giants' financial flexibility, they might be an even better fit than their rivals.
The Dodgers would pay a 62.5 percent penalty on every dollar spent on Scherzer due to likely winding up past the third luxury-tax threshold. The Giants, on the other hand, would still be well under the first threshold.
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Creating a 1-2 punch of Scherzer and Kevin Gausman would make the Giants real World Series contenders and possible favorites. Adding him to a mix of Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Johnny Cueto and Logan Webb is a group of depth and dangerous arms. It won't be easy, though.
Scherzer, 37, is under contract for just under $35 million this year. He's in the final season of a seven-year, $210 million deal. Scherzer also has a no-trade clause and as a player with 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the league, five with the same team), the longtime ace can turn down any trade.
But if the Giants made a real push for Scherzer, he likely would turn down his no-trade clause to join a contender.
RELATED: Bold MLB trade deadline predictions: Will Giants make splash?
San Francisco Giants
The Giants have the money to add him, the money to sign him past this season and the prospects to get a deal down. Are they willing to do so?
Time is running out before the July 30 MLB trade deadline.
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