Dombrowski: Scherzer negotiations have not started

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tigers have not expressed pessimism about signing Max Scherzer, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday. They haven't had any talks with his agent, Scott Boras, yet.

The question came on the heels of two reports citing officials from other clubs saying the Tigers don't believe they can re-sign Scherzer, who becomes eligible for free agency next winter. ESPN's Jayson Stark said the Tigers would not trade him, while Yahoo's Jeff Passan said Scherzer "was definitely in play."

Dombrowski said the reports, at least on the pessimism, were not accurate.

"We've never told anybody that we wouldn't be able to sign him," Dombrowski said. "I don't know if we can sign him or not, but we haven't even started that process."

Dombrowski wouldn't address trade rumors involving Scherzer, but said later, "Our starting pitchers are set."

Boras told reporters in the hallways of the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort that Scherzer remains interested in staying a Tiger. He did not comment on any potential extension.