Max Scherzer

Texas Rangers, Starting Pitcher
Age: 40y-4m-26d (Jul 27, 1984)
Exp: 16.079 Years
Country: US
College: Missouri
Drafted: Round 1 (#11 overall), 2006
Agent(s): Scott Boras (Boras Corporation)
INACTIVE

2022-2024 free-agent-xxb

Max Scherzer signed a 3 year , $130,000,000 contract with the New York Mets, including $130,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $43,333,333.
Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $130,000,000
Average Salary:
$43,333,333
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
Year Age Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2022 37 $43,333,333 $43,333,333 18.84% $43,333,333 $43,333,333
2023 38 $43,333,333 - - - $43,333,333
2024 39
Player
$12,500,000 $12,500,000 5.27% $12,500,000 $55,833,333
2025 40
UFA
Retained Salary
2023 38 $43,333,333 $43,333,333 18.60% $43,333,333 -
2024 39 $30,833,333 $30,833,333 13.01% $30,833,333 -
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2022 37 13.079 $43,333,333 - - $43,333,333 $43,333,333
2023 38 14.079 $43,333,333 - - $43,333,333 -
2024 39 15.079
Player
$43,333,334 - - $12,500,000 $12,500,000
2025 40 --
UFA
Retained Salary
2023 38 $43,333,333 - - $43,333,333 $43,333,333
2024 39 $30,833,333 - - $30,833,333 $30,833,333
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2022 37 $43,333,333 $43,333,333 $43,333,333 $12,500,000 $43,333,333 $18,611,111
2023 38 - - $43,333,333 $12,500,000 - -
2024 39
Player
$12,500,000 $12,500,000 $55,833,333 - $18,611,111 $12,500,000
Retained/Dead Cash
2023 38 - $43,333,333 $43,333,333 - $43,333,333 $43,333,333 $74,166,666
2024 39 - $30,833,333 $30,833,333 - - $37,083,333 -
Contract Notes
  • Opt-out available after 2023
  • Full no trade clause
  • MVP: $200,000
  • Cy Young: $200,000
  • World Series MVP: $150,000
  • LCS MVP: $100,000
  • All-Star: $100,000
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2015-2021 free-agent-xxb

Max Scherzer signed a 7 year , $210,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals, including $50,000,000 signing bonus, $210,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $30,000,000.
Contract Terms:
7 yr(s) / $210,000,000
Average Salary:
$30,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$50,000,000
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2014-2014 Arbitration

Max Scherzer signed a 1 year , $15,525,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $15,525,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $15,525,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $15,525,000
Average Salary:
$15,525,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2013-2013 Arbitration

Max Scherzer signed a 1 year , $6,725,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $6,725,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,725,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $6,725,000
Average Salary:
$6,725,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2012-2012 Arbitration

Max Scherzer signed a 1 year , $3,750,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $3,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,750,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,750,000
Average Salary:
$3,750,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2011-2011
Pre-Arbitration

Max Scherzer signed a 1 year , $600,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $600,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $600,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $600,000
Average Salary:
$600,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2007-2010 Rookie

Max Scherzer signed a 4 year , $4,300,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $4,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,075,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $4,300,000
Average Salary:
$1,075,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2006-2006 Signing Bonus

Max Scherzer signed a 1 year , $3,000,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,000,000
Average Salary:
$3,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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Seasons

16.079 Years

Career Earnings thru 2025

$314,574,999

Earnings w/ Different Teams

5 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2006 21
Signing Bonus
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
2007 22
Active
$950,000
$3,950,000
2008 23
Active /
Pre-Arbitration
Bypassed
$950,000
$4,900,000
2009 24
Active /
Pre-Arbitration 1
Bypassed
$1,450,000
$6,350,000
2010 25
Active /
Pre-Arbitration 2
Bypassed
$950,000
$7,300,000
2011 26
Active
$600,000
$7,900,000
2012 27
Active / Arb Avoided
$3,750,000
$11,650,000
2013 28
Active / Arb Avoided
$6,725,000
$18,375,000
 AL Cy Young
2014 29
Active / Arb Avoided
$15,525,000
$33,900,000
2015 30
Active
$15,175,000
$49,075,000
2016 31
Active
$15,100,000
$64,175,000
 NL Cy Young
2017 32
Active
$15,100,000
$79,275,000
 NL Cy Young
2018 33
Active
$15,100,000
$94,375,000
2019 34
Active
$15,100,000
$109,475,000
 Champion All MLB (1st)
2020 35
Active
$15,000,000
$124,475,000
2021 36
Retained
$15,100,000
$139,575,000
 All MLB (1st)
2022 37
Active
Deferred
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$182,908,333
$197,908,333
 All MLB (2nd)
2023 38
Retained
Deferred
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$241,241,666
$256,241,666
2024 39
Retained
Injured / Player Exercised
Deferred
$30,833,333
$12,500,000
$15,000,000
$287,074,999
$299,574,999
$314,574,999
Total      
$314,574,999
$287,074,999
$299,574,999
$314,574,999
2025 40
Deferred
$15,000,000
2026 41
Deferred
$15,000,000
2027 42
Deferred
$15,000,000
2028 43
Deferred
$15,000,000
Total
$374,574,999

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
3 $1,900,000 $3,000,000 - $4,900,000
6 $29,000,000 - - $29,000,000
10 $100,000,000 $50,000,000 $675,000 $150,675,000
3 $117,499,999 - - $117,499,999
1 $12,500,000 - - $12,500,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2006
21
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
2007
22
$950,000
$950,000
$3,950,000
2008
23
$950,000
$950,000
$4,900,000
2009
24
$1,450,000
$1,450,000
$6,350,000
2010
25
$950,000
$950,000
$7,300,000
2011
26
$600,000
$600,000
$7,900,000
2012
27
$3,750,000
$3,750,000
$11,650,000
2013
28
$6,725,000
$6,725,000
$18,375,000
2014
29
$15,525,000
$15,525,000
$33,900,000
2015
30
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
$175,000
$15,175,000
$49,075,000
2016
31
$15,000,000
$100,000
$15,100,000
$64,175,000
2017
32
$15,000,000
$100,000
$15,100,000
$79,275,000
2018
33
$15,000,000
$100,000
$15,100,000
$94,375,000
2019
34
$15,000,000
$100,000
$15,100,000
$109,475,000
2020
35
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
$124,475,000
2021
36
$15,000,000
$100,000
$15,100,000
$139,575,000
2022
37
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$182,908,333
$197,908,333
2023
38
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$43,333,333
$15,000,000
$241,241,666
$256,241,666
2024
39
$30,833,333
$12,500,000
$15,000,000
$30,833,333
$12,500,000
$15,000,000
$287,074,999
$299,574,999
$314,574,999
Total
$260,899,999
$53,000,000
$675,000
$314,574,999
$287,074,999
$299,574,999
$314,574,999
2025
40
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
2026
41
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
2027
42
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
2028
43
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
Total
$320,899,999
$53,000,000
$675,000
$374,574,999

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
3 $1,900,000 $3,000,000 - $4,900,000
6 $29,000,000 - - $29,000,000
10 $100,000,000 $50,000,000 $675,000 $150,675,000
3 $117,499,999 - - $117,499,999
1 $12,500,000 - - $12,500,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2024 TEX Jul 31, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024 Shoulder
2024 TEX Mar 28, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024 Back
2023 TEX Sep 13, 2023 - Oct 01, 2023 Arm
2022 NYM Sep 07, 2022 - Sep 19, 2022 Oblique
2022 NYM May 20, 2022 - Jul 05, 2022 Oblique
2021 WSH Jun 12, 2021 - Jun 22, 2021 Groin
2019 WSH Jul 29, 2019 - Aug 23, 2019 Back
2019 WSH Jul 10, 2019 - Jul 25, 2019 Back
2017 WSH Aug 18, 2017 - Aug 28, 2017 Neck
  • Jul 29, 2023 Exercised a $43.3M player option for 2024 with Texas (TEX)
  • Jul 29, 2023 Traded to Texas (TEX) from New York (NYM) for Luisangel Acuna
  • Apr 20, 2023 Suspended 10 games for a Uniform Violation (sticky substance)
  • Nov 29, 2021 Signed a 3 year $130 million contract with New York (NYM)
  • Jul 29, 2021 Traded to Los Angeles (LAD) from Washington (WSH) with Trea Turner for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey
  • Jan 19, 2015 Signed a 7 year $210 million contract with Washington (WAS)
  • Jan 17, 2014 Signed a 1 year $15.525 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Feb 04, 2013 Signed a 1 year $6.725 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Jan 17, 2012 Signed a 1 year $3.75 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Mar 09, 2011 Signed a 1 year $600k contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Dec 08, 2009 Traded to Detroit (DET) from Arizona (ARI) as part of a 3-team trade: New York (NYY) traded Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to Detroit (DET); Detroit (DET) traded Curtis Granderson to New York (NYY); Detroit (DET) traded Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona (ARI); Arizona (ARI) traded Daniel Schlereth to Detroit (DET)
  • May 30, 2007 Signed a 4 year $4.3 million contract with Arizona (ARI)
  • Jun 20, 2006 Signed a contract with Arizona (ARI)
  • Jun 06, 2006 Drafted by Arizona (ARI): Round 1 (#11 overall)
  • Jun 20, 2003 Unsigned by St. Louis (STL)
  • Jun 04, 2003 Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 43 (#1291 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2024 TEX 9 9 40 20 19 10 40 7 2 4 0 43.3 3.95 1.15 0.43
2023 TEX 27 27 126 65 64 45 174 28 13 6 0 152.7 3.77 1.12 2.14
2022 NYM 23 22 108 39 37 24 173 13 11 5 0 145.3 2.29 0.91 5.24
2021 LAD 30 30 119 53 49 36 236 23 15 4 0 179.3 2.46 0.86 3.27
2020 WSH 12 12 70 30 28 23 92 10 5 4 0 67.3 3.74 1.38 2.16
2019 WSH 29 27 144 59 56 33 243 18 11 7 0 172.3 2.93 1.03 5.22
2018 WSH 35 33 150 66 62 51 300 23 18 7 0 220.7 2.53 0.91 7.93
2017 WSH 31 31 126 62 56 55 268 22 16 6 0 200.7 2.51 0.90 7.19
2016 WSH 34 34 165 77 75 56 284 31 20 7 0 228.3 2.96 0.97 6.23
2015 WSH 34 33 176 74 71 34 276 27 14 12 0 228.7 2.79 0.92 6.91
2014 DET 33 33 196 80 77 63 252 18 18 5 0 220.3 3.15 1.18 5.75
2013 DET 32 32 152 73 69 56 240 18 21 3 0 214.3 2.90 0.97 6.49
2012 DET 32 32 179 82 78 60 231 23 16 7 0 187.7 3.74 1.27 4.35
2011 DET 33 33 207 101 96 56 174 29 15 9 0 195.0 4.43 1.35 1.40

Calculated Market Value

$15.2M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $15,199,933
  • Avg. Salary: $15,199,933
  • MLB Rank: 94
  • SP Rank: 36

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2025
  • Avg. Salary: $43,333,333

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Max Scherzer to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Charlie Morton 1 $20,000,000 $20,000,000 39
Adam Wainwright 1 $17,500,000 $17,500,000 41
Zack Greinke 1 $8,500,000 $8,500,000 39
Averages 1 $15,333,333 $15,333,333 39.7

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Scherzer's current age (40), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
1 $15,333,333 $15,333,333

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Scherzer statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR

Player GS/Yr IP K/9 BB/9 ERA WHIP FIP WAR
Charlie Morton
2021-2022
 32.00 5.50 10.60 3.06 3.85 1.14 3.72 2.93
Adam Wainwright
2021-2022
 32.00 6.03 7.15 2.36 3.38 1.17 3.66 3.12
Zack Greinke
2021-2022
 27.50 5.50 5.56 1.83 3.92 1.26 4.37 2.27
Average 30.50 5.68 7.77 2.42 3.72 1.19 3.92 2.77
Max Scherzer
2023-2024
 18.00 5.44 9.28 2.37 3.86 1.14 4.25 3.45
Pct Change -40.98 -4.23 19.43 2.07 -3.76 4.20 -8.42 24.55
Median Prime % Change -0.85%
Average Prime % Change -0.89%

Calculated Market Value: Max Scherzer

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $15,199,933 $15,199,933

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

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2025 MLB Offseason Contract Breakdowns

Spotrac details the largest free agent signings and contract extensions across MLB throughout the 2025 offseason. READ MORE

TRANSACTIONS

Jul 29, 2023
Exercised a $43.3M player option for 2024 with Texas (TEX)
Jul 29, 2023
Traded to Texas (TEX) from New York (NYM) for Luisangel Acuna
Apr 20, 2023
Suspended 10 games for a Uniform Violation (sticky substance)
Nov 29, 2021
Signed a 3 year $130 million contract with New York (NYM)
Jul 29, 2021
Traded to Los Angeles (LAD) from Washington (WSH) with Trea Turner for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey
Jan 19, 2015
Signed a 7 year $210 million contract with Washington (WAS)
Jan 17, 2014
Signed a 1 year $15.525 million contract with Detroit (DET)
Feb 04, 2013
Signed a 1 year $6.725 million contract with Detroit (DET)
Jan 17, 2012
Signed a 1 year $3.75 million contract with Detroit (DET)
Mar 09, 2011
Signed a 1 year $600k contract with Detroit (DET)
Dec 08, 2009
Traded to Detroit (DET) from Arizona (ARI) as part of a 3-team trade: New York (NYY) traded Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to Detroit (DET); Detroit (DET) traded Curtis Granderson to New York (NYY); Detroit (DET) traded Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona (ARI); Arizona (ARI) traded Daniel Schlereth to Detroit (DET)
May 30, 2007
Signed a 4 year $4.3 million contract with Arizona (ARI)
Jun 20, 2006
Signed a contract with Arizona (ARI)
Jun 06, 2006
Drafted by Arizona (ARI): Round 1 (#11 overall)
Jun 20, 2003
Unsigned by St. Louis (STL)
Jun 04, 2003
Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 43 (#1291 overall)

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