MLB Trade Rumors: Detroit Tigers Could Trade Max Scherzer; Club Could Target Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton, Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly failed to finalize an extension deal with reigning American League Cy Young award-winning pitcher Max Scherzer, casting a cloud of doubt over the hurler's future with his current team.

The Tigers' attempt to lock down one of the most prolific hurlers in the major leagues failed after Scherzer reportedly rejected the team's initial offer worth $144 million over six years.

Scherzer, who went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 240 strikeouts to win his first career Cy Young Award, is entering the final year of his current deal with the Tigers and could command more lucrative offers once he becomes a free agent after this season.

According to ESPN, Scherzer previously demanded the Tigers grant him a long-term contract that would position him among the highest paid pitchers in MLB history. However, the Tigers front office rejected the deal and reconstructed a new offer, which did not entice Scherzer.

"Max Scherzer made a substantial long-term contract extension offer to the Detroit Tigers that would have placed him among the highest-paid pitchers in baseball, and the offer was rejected by Detroit,'' Scherzer's agent Scott Boras told ESPN.

Sources indicated that the Tigers' offer to Scherzer is slightly lower than the $25.7 million per year pact that former AL Cy Young winner and MVP Justin Verlander signed with the team. Still, the contract would still make Scherzer one of the top six highest paid pitchers in baseball by annual average.

Potential Trade Bait

With Scherzer rejecting the offer, there is a great possibility that he could play for another team, if nothing progresses in his negotiations for a new deal with the Tigers.

The Tigers are no stranger to turning disgruntled players into assets or perhaps immediate help. Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton or Los Angeles Dodgers youngster Yasiel Puig, who has drawn criticism from his teammates and even his manager for his immaturity, could be a nice trade target for Detroit, should they continue to have a hard time hammering out a deal with one of their best pitchers.