Arizona Diamondbacks Free Agency: Could Max Scherzer Come Back

When evaluation the Arizona Diamondbacks off-season needs any knowledgeable fan can see the gapping whole at the top of the starting rotation.  After losing Bronson Arroyo following Tommy John surgery the Diamondbacks struggled to find a starter they could rely on as an ace. 

Josh Collmenter tried to fill in and turned in his best season earning a career high 11 wins. While Collmenter is a solid third starter he lacks the swing and miss stuff of a major league ace. 

Wade Miley could develop into a top of the rotation pitcher but ever since his all-star season of 2012 he has regressed losing a career high 12 games while recording a bloated WHIP of 1.401. 

So with the future of Bronson Arroyo unknown and no viable option on the team where in the world are the Diamondbacks going to find their ace.

How about Detroit.

Max Scherzer made it clear that he wanted to test free agency when he turned down a very lucrative contract extension from Detroit.  When Scherzer becomes a free agent after the World Series the Arizona Diamondbacks should be one of the first team to knock on his door. 

After living in the shadow of Justin Verlander and now David Price, Mad Max is ready to get out of Detroit and try his hand at leading a rotation.  The Arizona Diamondbacks could provide the perfect opportunity for Max to lead a rotation as the undisputed ace. 

Assuming the Diamondbacks would want him, the big question would be can they afford him?  Scherzer would add close to $25 million to the payroll.  That might be a little much for a rebuilding team already struggling with the inflated contracts of Aaron Hill and Mark Trumbo.  

That said the Arizona Diamondbacks need an ace badly and Scherzer could fill that role admirably for the next two or three seasons.  That could be just long enough to pass the torch to one of the teams up and coming pitching prospects.