Max Scherzer

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer speaks at a news conference on Oct. 1 in Baltimore.

(AP Photo)

DETROIT -- Max Scherzer isn't sure what the future holds for him.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner could open next season as a member of the New York Yankees. Or the Boston Red Sox. Or perhaps the Los Angeles Angels.

Then again, there's still a chance he could stay in Detroit.

Scherzer wasn't in the mood to address his future after Sunday's season-ending loss to Baltimore in the ALDS, but he did acknowledge that he'd like to remain in Detroit.

"I do hope I'm back," Scherzer said after the Tigers' 2-1 loss. "I love this clubhouse, love the players in here. I've gone to battle with these guys for five years."

Scherzer is expected to enter the offseason as one of the most highly touted starting pitchers available on the free-agent market, along with James Shields and Jon Lester.

All three pitchers are expected to garner interest from a bevy of teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. However, the Tigers could be in the mix, too, as they'd have a giant hole to fill with the potential departure of Scherzer.

"I love being in this clubhouse," Scherzer said when asked if he'd like to return to Detroit. "I'd love to be back."

As it stands right now, at least four of the team's five current starting pitchers are expected to open the season in the rotation next year. Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Anibal Sanchez and David Price will all be back.

It's possible the Tigers could have a handful of prospects compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Drew VerHagen, Robbie Ray, Kyle Lobstein and Buck Farmer could all be considered.

Then again, the Tigers may attempt to try and fill the fifth spot with a free-agent addition. And it's possible they could enter into a bidding war for Scherzer, despite having ended contract talks with Scott Boras, Scherzer's agent, earlier this season.

Scherzer took a gamble this past spring when he turned down a lucrative contract offer from the Tigers, which was reported to be worth $144 million over six years.

The contract would've placed Scherzer among the top six highest-paid players in baseball, based on average annual salary. Instead, Scherzer reportedly turned down the offer and contract talks were tabled for the season.

Asked whether he has a timeline for when he'd like to have his future nailed down, Scherzer said he couldn't "predict anything about the offseason." But if the Tigers express interest in bringing him back, he would most certainly listen.

"It's unbelievable when you consider how much talent is in here and types of guys we have in this clubhouse," Scherzer said. "Hopefully, we can find a way to get back together and do it again in 2015."

-- Download the Detroit Tigers on MLive app for iPhone and Android.

-- Like MLive's Detroit Tigers Facebook page.