Report: The Phillies sent scouts to watch free agent pitcher Max Scherzer’s throwing session

Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer recently held a throwing session, and the Phillies were reportedly among the teams in attendance, according to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated.

The Phillies attended free agent RHP Max Scherzer throwing session

Sources: free agent RHP Max Scherzer threw in front of teams at Cressey Sports Performance’s pro day earlier in the week

I’m told Scouts liked what they saw: Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies, Braves, Cubs, Red Sox were among those present

Scherzer has been in…

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 24, 2025

Obviously on paper, a future Hall of Famer like Scherzer joining a contending team sounds exciting, but don’t get your hopes up—this feels more like a homework assignment than a legitimate pursuit.

The Phillies don’t exactly need starting pitching. Their rotation, featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, and recent addition Jesús Luzardo, is one of the best in baseball. Add in top prospect Andrew Painter, who’s expected to debut this summer, and swingman Joe Ross (signed in December), and you’ve got a rotation overflowing with depth.

Scherzer, at 40 years old and coming off an injury-plagued season, doesn’t fit the mold of a must-have addition. Even if he can still contribute, where would he slot in? The Phillies have bigger priorities than creating a logjam in the rotation.

Max Scherzer’s track record speaks for itself, but recent seasons have been a different story. After offseason surgery to repair a herniated disk, he didn’t make his 2024 debut for the Rangers until late June.

Once back, he struggled to stay on the field, battling shoulder fatigue and a hamstring strain. Nine starts, a 3.95 ERA, and more questions than answers—hardly vintage Scherzer.

At this stage of his career, it’s fair to wonder how much Max Scherzer has left in the tank after logging more than 2,800 MLB innings.

The Dombrowski-Scherzer Connection

There is a notable tie between Scherzer and Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. The two worked together in Detroit, where Scherzer blossomed into one of the game’s premier pitchers.

Dombrowski famously offered Scherzer a six-year, $144 million extension in 2014, which he turned down to sign a record-setting deal with the Nationals.

While the history is interesting, it’s unlikely to have much impact now. The Phillies are operating near the luxury tax limit, and paying a premium for a pitcher whose best years are behind him isn’t their style—not with this rotation.

So, why did the Phillies bother scouting Max Scherzer?

Simple: good teams do their homework. Whether it’s for leverage in trade discussions, gauging the market, or contingency planning, being in the room is standard practice for a front office like Philadelphia’s.

It’s worth noting that the Mets have reportedly shown interest in bringing Scherzer back on a one-year deal. Given Scherzer’s history with New York and their needs in the rotation, that feels like a far more realistic fit.

As fun as it is to imagine Max Scherzer bringing his signature fire to Citizens Bank Park, the reality is that Philly just doesn’t make sense as a landing spot. The rotation is stacked, the payroll is tight, and the risk outweighs the reward for a 40-year-old with durability concerns.

Scherzer still has the name and the pedigree, but the Phillies appear content with their current setup—and rightfully so. Don’t expect to see Max Scherzer in red pinstripes, but if you’re curious about where he ends up, keep an eye on the Mets.

This one feels like Philly just doing its homework.

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