Max Scherzer is one of the most dominant and decorated pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). He has won three Cy Young Awards, pitched two no-hitters, and led the Washington Nationals to their first World Series title in 2019. He is also the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history, with a record-breaking average annual salary of $43.3 million.
In this article, we will explore Scherzer’s salary, net worth, career, and personal life in full details. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about him.
Max Scherzer Salary
Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets in November 2021, after being traded from the Nationals to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2021. His contract with the Mets gives him the highest average annual salary of any player in MLB history, surpassing Gerrit Cole’s $36 million with the New York Yankees.
Scherzer’s contract also includes an opt-out clause after the 2023 season, which means he can become a free agent again if he chooses to do so. He also has a full no-trade clause, which means he can veto any trade proposals involving him.
Scherzer’s salary breakdown for the next three years is as follows:
- 2022: $43.3 million
- 2023: $43.3 million (opt-out)
- 2024: $43.3 million
Scherzer will also receive $15 million per year from his previous contract with the Nationals, which deferred half of his $210 million deal from 2015 to 2028. This means that Scherzer will earn a total of $58.3 million per year from 2022 to 2028.
Period | Salary |
---|---|
Session | $1,312,121.21 |
Year | $43,300,000 |
Month | $3,608,333.33 |
Week | $832,692.31 |
Day | $118,630.14 |
Hour | $4,942.92 |
As you can see, Max Scherzer is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and has a very impressive income from his pitching career.
Max Scherzer Net Worth
According to various sources, Scherzer’s net worth is estimated to be around $120 million as of July 2023. This figure is based on his career earnings, endorsements, investments, and lifestyle.
Scherzer has earned over $256 million from his MLB contracts alone, and he is expected to earn another $374 million from his current and deferred contracts. He also has endorsement deals with Nike, Rawlings, Topps, and Fanatics, among others.
Scherzer is known for his philanthropic efforts, especially his work with the Humane Rescue Alliance, an animal welfare organization in Washington D.C. He and his wife Erica have donated millions of dollars and adopted several rescue pets from the organization. Scherzer also supports causes related to human trafficking prevention, youth baseball development, and cancer research.
Max Scherzer Career
Scherzer was born on July 27, 1984, in Chesterfield, Missouri. He attended Parkway Central High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 43rd round of the 2003 MLB draft, but he did not sign and instead chose to attend the University of Missouri.
At Missouri, Scherzer was a star pitcher for the Tigers, winning the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award in 2005. He was drafted again by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round (11th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft. He signed a four-year deal worth $4.3 million with the Diamondbacks.
Scherzer made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2008, pitching 4\u200A1⁄3 perfect innings in relief against the Houston Astros. He became a regular starter for the Diamondbacks in 2009, posting a 9-11 record with a 4.12 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 30 games.
In December 2009, Scherzer was traded to the Detroit Tigers as part of a three-team deal that also involved the New York Yankees and Curtis Granderson. Scherzer spent five seasons with the Tigers, becoming one of the best pitchers in the American League. He made two All-Star appearances and won his first Cy Young Award in 2013, when he led the league with 21 wins and a .875 winning percentage.
In January 2015, Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals, which included $105 million in deferred payments from 2022 to 2028. Scherzer became an instant ace for the Nationals, making five consecutive All-Star appearances and winning two more Cy Young Awards in 2016 and 2017. He also pitched two no-hitters in 2015 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets.
In May 2016, Scherzer tied the MLB record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game with 20 against his former team, the Detroit Tigers. He also became the youngest pitcher to defeat all 30 MLB teams during his career.
In October 2019, Scherzer helped the Nationals win their first World Series title in franchise history, defeating the Houston Astros in seven games. Scherzer started and won Game One, and pitched five innings in Game Seven, despite suffering from neck spasms that almost prevented him from playing.
In July 2021, Scherzer was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Trea Turner, as the Nationals decided to rebuild their roster. Scherzer was dominant for the Dodgers, going 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 11 starts. He also made his eighth All-Star appearance and was named to the All-MLB First Team.
In November 2021, Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets, setting a new record for the highest average annual salary in MLB history.
Scherzer’s career statistics as of July 28, 2023 are as follows:
- Win-loss record: 210-106
- Earned run average: 3.15
- Strikeouts: 3,307
- WHIP: 1.09
- WAR: 70.9
Max Scherzer Personal Life
Scherzer is married to Erica May-Scherzer, a former softball pitcher at the University of Missouri. They met in 2005 and got married in 2013. They have three daughters and a son together: Brooklyn (born in 2017), Kacey (born in 2019), Derek (born in 2021), and Riley (born in 2022).
Scherzer and his wife are avid animal lovers and have adopted several rescue pets, including four dogs and two cats. They are also involved in various charitable causes, such as the Humane Rescue Alliance, Polaris Project, Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, and Stand Up To Cancer.
Scherzer is known for his distinctive eyes, which have different colors: blue on the right and brown on the left. This condition is called heterochromia iridis. Scherzer has said that he likes his eyes and considers them a part of his identity.
Scherzer is also known for his intensity and competitiveness on the field, which has earned him the nickname “Mad Max” after the fictional character of the same name. He often grunts and shouts while pitching, and has been seen talking to himself or to his opponents.
Conclusion
Max Scherzer is one of the greatest pitchers of his generation and one of the highest-paid players in MLB history. He has won three Cy Young Awards, pitched two no-hitters, and led the Nationals to their first World Series title. He is also a philanthropist and an animal lover who supports various causes with his wife Erica. Scherzer is a legend of the game and a role model for many aspiring athletes.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How old is Max Scherzer? A: Max Scherzer is 38 years old as of July 2023.
Q: How tall is Max Scherzer? A: Max Scherzer is 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) tall.
Q: How much does Max Scherzer weigh? A: Max Scherzer weighs 215 pounds (98 kilograms).
Q: What team does Max Scherzer play for? A: Max Scherzer plays for the New York Mets as of July 2023.
Q: What position does Max Scherzer play? A: Max Scherzer plays as a starting pitcher.
Q: How many no-hitters has Max Scherzer pitched? A: Max Scherzer has pitched two no-hitters in his career, both in 2015.
Q: How many strikeouts does Max Scherzer have? A: Max Scherzer has 3,307 strikeouts as of July 28, 2023.
Q: How many World Series rings does Max Scherzer have? A: Max Scherzer has one World Series ring, which he won with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
Q: How much is Max Scherzer’s salary? A: Max Scherzer’s salary is $43.3 million per year from 2022 to 2024.
Q: How much is Max Scherzer’s net worth? A: Max Scherzer’s net worth is estimated to be around $120 million as of July 2023.