on january 21, 2015, scherzer agreed to a contract with the washington nationals, now led by rizzo as general manager. the contract was for seven years and $210 million ($ million today), and included a $50 million signing bonus to be paid out over 14 years, the largest deferral in mlb history. at the time, scherzer owned a 91–50 w–l with a 3.58 era in seven seasons with arizona and detroit. on january 22, it was reported that the contract also specified for scherzer's salary to be $10 million in 2015, and $15 million in each of the next three seasons. it then increases to $35 million a year in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the seasons in which his deferrals begin. in addition, his contract includes several award incentives, as well as a no-trade clause.