Intro:

The Washington Nationals unveiled pitcher Max Scherzer as their latest addition on Wednesday (21st January).

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals pitcher:

Q. "What were the reasons that made you decide to sign with the Nationals?"

"It's pretty easy, and it's one: winning. I think this team is capable of winning and wining a lot. When you look at the near-term and long-term, this is an organisation you want to be a part of."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mike Rizzo, Washington Nationals general manager:

"Well I would say that whenever you can acquire a player of Max Scherzer's ability level, character, and toughness on the mound, those opportunities are few and far between. We saw a player that we were extremely interested in. He fits all of the criteria we're looking for in a Washington Nationals type of player. He's good between the lines. He's a tough guy. He gets after it. He takes the ball. He attacks hitters. And then in the clubhouse he's a magnificent team mate. In the community he does nothing but impress everyone he touches. You can't ask for more. He's the type of guy we're looking for and he's the guy we went after very aggressively. We strengthened a strength and who wouldn't want Max Scherzer on their team?"

SOUNDBITE: (English) Max Scherzer:

"Yeah it (size of contract) was jaw dropping. You can't even fathom it sometimes. You work so hard to put yourself in this position. Like I said it's all about winning. I don't play this game for money, but at the same time when you have an offer like that it just makes you go, 'wow'. I'm very fortunate to be in this position. I'm very fortunate that they want to commit that dollar amount to me."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Matt Williams, Washington Nationals manager:
"Well to able put any of those names down every fifth day is a privilege for anybody. But what it does is just allows us to have a better chance of winning. As Max said, he wants to win. We desperately want to win. Jason (Werth) is with us, he wants to win desperately. And it's important to us. So we're glad to have him and we're anxious to get to Spring training - I know he is."