Dodgers free agents: Predicting which FAs stay and which leave LA

Max Scherzer: Stays with the Dodgers

Max Scherzer had a no-trade clause with the Washington Nationals, and it was clear that he wanted to be traded to a team that he could end his career with. Granted, the Dodgers have to offer Scherzer a contract for that to be the reality, but chances are he stays in LA past the 2021 season.

The question becomes how much the Dodgers should be willing to pay him. The team has a fair amount of money coming off the books, particularly if Trevor Bauer is suspended by the league and his contract does not impact the luxury tax number.

The Dodgers could afford to pay Scherzer on a three-year, $100 million contract. That is a lot of money for a player who is 37 and just had dead arm in the playoffs, but the Dodgers are a billion-dollar franchise that can maneuver around the money.

The team can work with deferments to make it easier against the cap. The team has deferred money before, and it would not be shocking if they paid Scherzer around $25 million a year with $25 million in total deferments.

Regardless of what the number is, the Dodgers can afford it and should have a leg-up on other possible suitors for Mad Max. If the Dodgers were willing to pay Rich Hill $16 million per year, then they probably will be willing to pay Max Scherzer $25 million per year.