Could Nats’ Scherzer wind up in S.F.?

Max Scherzer, the biggest chip on the trade market, would fit perfectly atop any rotation from San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego, and if the stellar righthander lands in one of those cities, it would swing the balance of power in the National League West.

Scherzer is a threetime Cy Young Award winner who’s still in his prime at 37 and being made available by the Nationals, who are in fourth place in the NL East.

According to a variety of reports, including from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Scherzer would be willing to waive his notrade clause before Friday’s trade deadline if dealt to a West Coast contender. The Giants, Dodgers and Padres all seek an impact starter.

The Giants might not have been a destination team while posting losing records four straight years, beginning in 2017, but the best record in the majors this season provides serious credibility, especially when it’s combined with a favorable ballpark and fans, and players with World Series rings still performing at a high level.

Manager Gabe Kapler can’t publicly campaign for players on other teams, but he did go as far as saying the Giants are an attractive destination.

“If I was a player, I would want to play in San Francisco,” Kapler said Wednesday. “It’s a great city, and we are a pretty driven, hungry franchise with an equally hungry and driven fan base, and we’re going to work really hard to get better, and I think any player would want to be a part of that.”

If the Nationals seek a catcher, they got a look at prospect Joey Bart, who was called to the majors for the NatsGiants series just before the AllStar break, and on July 10, Bart caught all nine innings and collected two hits.

Briefly: Shortstop Brandon Crawford (left oblique strain) did extensive pregame work including running the bases and said the plan is to be reinstated from the injured list and return for Thursday’s matinee . ... First baseman Brandon Belt (right knee inflammation) will begin a rehab assignment with TripleA Sacramento on Thursday and estimated he could play five or six games and possibly return at the end of next week’s series in Arizona.