4 Teams in Attendance Scouting Max Scherzer's Final Nationals Start

Max Scherzer made what should be his final start in a Washington Nationals uniform today, and at least four teams had scouts in attendance: The Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds. And he put on a show, as if there's really anyone who's not yet familiar with what the future Hall of Famer can do.

Max Scherzer is now done for the day, showing all interested parties that he is healthy, giving up just three hits and one run in six innings against the #Phillies.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2021

Scherzer was pulled from his last start due to a tender triceps, which likely triggered the scouting mission for today's start. It all went just fine, thank you. He picked up his 8th win of the season, tossing 6 innings of one-run ball, allowing just 3 hits. His ERA now sits at 2.76, and the 3-time Cy Young Award winner is ready for his next adventure:

Max Scherzer is bracing himself to be traded in the next 24 hours: "I don't want to look at this as a negative thing, I really look at it as positive thing. I signed a seven-year deal here to win a World Series. And we won a World Series. That's a lifelong dream come true.''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2021

Expecting to be traded within the next 24 hours, before Friday's trade deadline, Scherzer said, "I really look at it as positive thing. I signed a seven-year deal here to win a World Series. And we won a World Series. That's a lifelong dream come true.''

The 8-time All-Star is ready to win another ring, and although it's taking a bit longer to complete a deal than expected, the word is that his preference is to go to the West Coast.

So why the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Reds were at the game today is anybody's guess. They could be scouting any other players on the Nationals, and in fact, Toronto has already completed a deal today for Nats' closer Brad Hand.

Friday at 4:00pm EDT is when all the dust should be settled.

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports