It's not often a pitcher the caliber of Max Scherzer is available at the trade deadline.
Even at 37 years old, the three-time Cy Young winner is still one of the game's elite pitchers, boasting a 2.83 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 142 strikeouts in 105 innings in the final season of a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals.
With a 5-16 record in July entering Tuesday, the Nationals have slipped out of the National League East race, and they are poised to at least sell off their expiring contracts, with Scherzer atop that list.
The unique nature of his contract, which features significant deferred money and no actual salary for the 2022 season, will be one hurdle in any deal for Scherzer.