Max Scherzer frustrated with Sports Illustrated over magazine cover

In many cases, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated is something to be pleased with. Unfortunately, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer is less than pleased with circumstances surrounding him being on the latest issue.

A 2013 season that saw Scherzer take home the American League’s Cy Young Award put the 29-yeard-old in position for a big pay day with free agency looming next year. Negotiations with the Tigers on a long-term contract extension ceased last month when Scherzer rejected a reported six-year, $144 million extension, leaving the two sides to pick back up after the season.

When it came time for the Sports Illustrated feature, Scherzer relayed through Tigers’ media relations he didn’t want the details of his contract situation to be prominent. One look at the magazine and we can see it is.

“To be on the cover is a very special moment, but I’m also frustrated that they chose to put the contract stuff on the cover,” Scherzer said Sunday via the Detroit Free Press.

“I didn’t want it to be about that,” Scherzer said. “I’m a baseball player. I want to talk baseball. It’s frustrating when you get lied to about that.”

Through assistant managing editor Stephen Cannella, Sports Illustrated defended its decision.

“We were aware Max didn’t want to discuss his contract situation in detail, but at no time did we make any promises how we would mention it in the story or how we wouldn’t, or where we would use it, whether it would be on the cover or whether it wouldn’t.”

Given his wishes, it’s understandable for Max Scherzer to feel the way he does, since they weren’t granted. It’s probably safe to say not many would be particularly thrilled to be questioned if they made a “dumb wager” on their future.

H/T Sporting News