Max Scherzer’s offseason has replication and variance. He won the National League Cy Young Award for the second consecutive season, so that was the same. Scherzer is still bothered by Game 5 of the National League Division Series. That, too, is a repeat of last year. He is also again preparing to meet a new coaching staff after the Washington Nationals fired their manager for the second time in Scherzer’s three seasons in the District.
It’s the personal changes that make this offseason different. Scherzer and his wife, Erica-May Scherzer, are expecting their first child any day. He also goes into the winter as healthy as he has been in more than a year after getting through finger, neck and hamstring problems.
“With all the injuries — there were more things going on than what the eye can see throughout the year,” Scherzer said recently. “Constantly dealing with nagging stuff. We actually addressed everything. By the end of the season, I actually felt great. Going into the offseason, I’m finally 100 percent. I feel like I’ve been battling for a year to get to 100 percent. I actually feel like I am 100 percent. I feel great. I wish we could roll the season out again right now.”
The postseason turmoil and subsequent dismissal of the coaching staff makes it easy to forget how Scherzer felt this time a year ago. He had developed a stress fracture in his right ring finger late in the 2016 season. It hampered his offseason preparation, stalled him in spring training and caused his first start to be put off until the fourth game of the regular season. The delay was modest and relieving. Scherzer thought the ailing finger could cause him to miss as much as the first month of the season. Instead, he altered his fastball grip in spring training, healed, and was ready in early April.
This offseason has no such limitation. Scherzer said he is throwing now. He will have a full offseason regimen to prepare for spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he will get to know the new coaching staff. Most influential for him will be new manager Davey Martinez — whom he hadn’t met yet — and pitching coach Derek Lilliquist.
Scherzer’s experience with such change is vast. He has played for three teams in his 10 seasons. The Diamondbacks employed two managers and two pitching coaches in Scherzer’s first two seasons in Arizona. His five seasons in Detroit delivered two managers and two pitching coaches. Heading into his fourth year in Washington, Scherzer will be dealing with a third manager and third pitching coach.
That’s seven managers and pitching coaches in 10-plus seasons.
“It’s unfortunate when you lose coaching staff, but at the same time, I’m not going to hang my head about it,” Scherzer said. “Look, sometimes change is good. I’ve been in the business now for 10 seasons, I’ve had several different pitching coaches, I’ve learned from all of them. So, this is just another opportunity for me to learn.”
Before dealing with the new staff, his learning will occur around the home. Scherzer and his wife expect their first child to arrive this week. He, predictably, is very excited for the occasion, which will make this offseason unlike any other.
“Here we go,” Scherzer said.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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