The Atlanta Braves were reportedly among the top teams vying for free-agent pitcher Justin Verlander.
Atlanta is attempting to replace Charlie Morton and Max Fried’s productions, which is a tough order.
Unfortunately for the Braves, Verlander went elsewhere, signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants.
After losing out on Verlander, FanSided’s Christopher Kline feels the Braves should go for another future Hall of Fame pitcher. Kline said that the Braves could approach Verlander’s former colleague Max Scherzer.
“The Braves were an ideal landing spot for Justin Verlander on paper — an established contender with a clear need for pitching depth, but with enough established star-power to insulate him and protect him in the event of injuries,” said Kline. “Verlander is definitely not the 160-plus inning workhorse of the past, but the Braves would have benefited from his two decades of MLB experience.
“Why not take a similar approach with Max Scherzer, the 40-year-old free agent who formerly shared a clubhouse with Verlander in New York? Scherzer, another three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time champion, would bring decades of winning experience and a recent track record of success to Atlanta.
“The Braves were an ideal landing spot for Justin Verlander on paper — an established contender with a clear need for pitching depth, but with enough established star-power to insulate him and protect him in the event of injuries,” Kline told ESPN. “Verlander is not the 160-plus inning workhorse of the past, but the Braves would have benefited from his two decades of Major League Baseball expertise.
“Why not try the same strategy with Max Scherzer, the 40-year-old free agent who previously shared a clubhouse with Verlander in New York? Scherzer, another three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time champion, will bring decades of winning experience and a recent track record of success to Atlanta.
