Trade Max Scherzer.

No, not this year. Not after he and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a bargain one-year, $6.75 million contract Monday to avoid arbitration.

The Tigers are going to face a decision on Scherzer's long-term future soon, though, and there are two realities: the Ilitch Bank could be out of funds, and the haul Scherzer could bring in a trade may be too good to pass up.

Detroit re-signed Anibal Sanchez to a five-year, $80 million contract this offseason. Prince Fielder got a $214 million contract last year, and is signed through 2020. And the negotiations with Justin Verlander haven't really begun.

Austin Jackson and Doug Fister are approaching free agency, too.

Scherzer earned $3.75 million in 2012 while performing as the Tigers' most dominant pitcher down the stretch. He was 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in August and had a 1.91 ERA in September and October.

He's slated to be a free agent after the 2014 season.

A season similar to his overall numbers of last season (16-7, 3.74 ERA) and Scherzer will be due another nice raise in his final trip through arbitration.

It's not that the Tigers couldn't afford a possible one-year, $9 million deal for 2014, but would the money be there to lock Scherzer up long term? And what's he worth, especially with Scott Boras as his agent?

If Sanchez signed an $80 million deal as a .500 pitcher who has yet to fully prove himself in the American League, then Scherzer may be seeking $20 million per as an established power pitcher and the guy who led the AL in strikeouts per nine innings in 2012 (11.078).

That's when the notion of turning Scherzer into a trade chip may be realized.

Who plays shortstop for Detroit in 2014? Or second base?

It could be the last run for Jhonny Peralta and Omar Infante in the middle of the infield, and the Tigers are in desperate need of young, major-league ready talent.

Perhaps Scherzer could fetch an impact starter at one of those spots, as well as some a prospect or two to help replenish Detroit's farm system.

The Tigers wouldn't be an ideal negotiating spot with Scherzer's free agency looming, but perhaps that's better than having Boras deliver him to the highest bidder.

— Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com. Download the "Detroit Tigers" MLive app (iPhone or Android) for the latest news and updates.