This is Max Scherzer‘s last big time free agent contract. He’s a 37 year old pitcher, and this contract may effectively carry him into retirement.

This is the place where he’s getting his last opportunity to chase another ring. It’s where his children continue to grow up and go to school. It may wind up where he spends the rest of his life.

He’s also a union leader. At a time when there’s an impending lock out, he probably feels responsibility to take the best offer over what’s best for him. That could conflict with what he wants for his family and his pursuit of further career accomplishments.

Keep in mind, there’s also the Boras factor. He’s going to get every single last cent, incentive, and perk he can get out of a team. That’s his job, and he’s better and more aggressive at it than most.

One rival exec last night saw nothing unusual in delay, saying, “All the Boras side items (in a contract)” take time. Also difficult to imagine Scherzer, a union leader, turning down perceived highest offer. But as Mets learned with Bauer, not over until agreement is reached. https://t.co/Sj5CYuB5Kf

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2021

This isn’t a story about the Mets being used as leverage. They’re not being used at all. Boras doesn’t really operate that way. He goes and gets the best deal for his clients. Period.

The thing is you can push a 25 year old Alex Rodriguez to the Texas Rangers. Doing that with a 37 year old father of two who spent seven years hating the Mets is an entirely different story all together.

This isn’t Trevor Bauer again. That was a megalomaniac (and sociopath) basking and creating drama.

Scherzer is an adult and an intense competitor. He wants to win, and he wants to raise a family. In reality, he is looking for the best situation while juggling his many responsibilities and masters.

Scherzer is allowed to take his time on a life altering and impacting decision. At the end of the day, as Mets fans, we should just appreciate how serious this franchise is about not just signing him but also looking to compete in 2022.