Welcome to The Opener, where every weekday morning you’ll get a fresh, topical column to start your day from one of SI.com’s MLB writers.
Less than two years ago, Max Scherzer helped lead the Nationals to their first World Series title. Two days from now, he could be with another team.
They don’t want to trade Scherzer, a franchise icon who should be the first player to represent them in the Hall of Fame, but they realize he’s worth more to them over these next few months if he’s wearing a different uniform.