The Angels could head into the 2025 season with the starting pitchers currently on their roster, choosing not to invest further in the remaining free agent options for their rotation. Max Scherzer, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, was available, but he is now signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Scherzer would have been a strong fit for the 2025 Angels, especially considering the number of veteran players they’ve added this offseason. Is he necessarily a better option than Reid Detmers or Jack Kochanowicz for next season? Not exactly. However, Ron Washington is likely disappointed by the news that Scherzer is off the market.
Scherzer signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $15.5 million deal, despite the Jays already having a solid rotation with Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and the promising Bowden Francis. They also have top prospects like Jake Bloss, Ricky Tiedemann, Yariel Rodriguez, and Alek Manoah, who, while once a strong prospect, has faced struggles. The point here is that while the Angels might have faced challenges adding another starter, it’s not quite the same situation as the Blue Jays’ already crowded pitching staff.
Ron Washington, entering the final year of his contract, is known for offering either thought-provoking or controversial quotes. In his prime, he gave memorable lines like “my whole being is about winning, my whole being is about consistency,” and “I just be feeling like I can handle anything.” Recently, he was quoted saying he felt the front office hadn’t brought in “real baseball players,” although he quickly walked those comments back. Still, they provided some buzz during December’s winter meetings.
When asked, “Which pitcher – not on your squad – would you most want to hand the ball to with your season on the line?” Washington’s response was Max Scherzer, calling him “gritty” and someone who “never gives in.” This answer came during the 2024 winter meetings, not back in 2017 or 2018. Other managers named pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Corbin Burnes, Zack Wheeler, and Emmanuel Clase. Washington’s pick might raise some eyebrows, as it suggests he might not have the clearest read on today’s pitching landscape.
While the Angels didn’t necessarily need to add Scherzer to their rotation, Washington likely wishes they had. You can bet he’d stand by that sentiment.
