Max Scherzer paid $750K for a $40M insurance policy prior to 2014 season
Max Scherzer is a man with a back-up plan.
The right-hander took out a $40-million insurance policy, which cost him $750,000, against possibly getting injured before hitting free agency this winter, he revealed to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
The policy protected against any shoulder or elbow injuries Scherzer may have suffered during the 2014 campaign, including Tommy John surgery.
"I was going to have enough money for the rest of my life regardless of what was going to happen," said Scherzer. "Once you took the injury-risk factor out of it, and you can just go play baseball and not have to worry about anything ... I was set. When you combine that with the fact that I've already made some money in my career, you're talking $50-plus million in the bank, I think I'm going to be fine."
Scherzer rejected a six-year, $144-million extension from the Detroit Tigers last spring in hopes of cashing in more on the open market. His gamble paid off handsomely, earning a seven-year, $210-million contract with the Washington Nationals.
One thing's for sure: Scherzer won't need to worry about money anymore.