The Tigers were looking to keep reigning Cy Young winner Max Scherzer in Detroit for the long haul when the team offered him a long-term contract extension, but it looks like Scherzer isn’t sure of his future in the Motor City.
The Tigers said Sunday that Scherzer rejected a “substantial” extension offer, and the two sides have tabled contract discussions until after the 2014 season.
“The Detroit Tigers have made a substantial, long-term contract extension offer to Max Scherzer that would have placed him among the highest paid pitchers in baseball, and the offer was rejected,” the team said in a statement, via ESPN.
“As we have reiterated, it has been the organization’s intent to extend Max’s contract and keep him in a Tigers uniform well beyond the 2014 season.”
Scherzer recently said he wouldn’t negotiate a long-term offer with the Tigers during the 2014 season if an agreement couldn’t be reached by Opening Day. Earlier this offseason, Scherzer and the Tigers agreed to a one-year deal worth $15,525,000. Scherzer is slated to become a free agent after the season.
The Tigers have won three straight AL Central titles, and Scherzer went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA last season
