DETROIT (AP) — AL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers for $15,525,000, setting himself up for an even bigger payday when he becomes eligible for free agency after the season.
Scherzer went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 240 strikeouts as the Tigers advanced to the AL championship series against Boston. He made $6,725,000 last year, and another stellar season could put him in position to gain a deal similar to those of teammate Justin Verlander ($180 million for seven years) and Seattle’s Felix Hernandez ($175 million for seven) or even the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw ($215 million for seven).
Detroit also reached one-year agreements with right-handers Rick Porcello and Al Alburquerque, and outfielders Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson. All had filed for arbitration.
Porcello went 13-8 with a 4.32 ERA and a career-high 142 strikeouts . Alburquerque appeared in 53 games, posting a 4-3 record and 4.59 ERA.
Dirks hit .256 with 16 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 37 RBIs. Jackson batted .272 with 30 doubles, seven triples, 12 homers and 49 RBIs.
