Mets trading Max Scherzer to Rangers
In a move that no one could have predicted coming into the season, the Mets are trading veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers.
According to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino, the Mets are acquiring SS/2B prospect Luisangel Acuna, the 21-year-old brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Rangers are paying Scherzer $22.5 million. Mets are paying it down to that level.
According to multiple reports, Scherzer has opted in to the 2024 season with the Rangers and the Mets will pay $35 million-plus of the remaining contract.
Luisangel Acuna is the Rangers' No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. In 362 at-bats in the Rangers' Double-A affiliate, Acuna slashed .315/.377/.830 with seven home runs and 51 RBI. He also has 42 stolen bases.
Scherzer has waived his no-trade clause to OK the deal. On Friday, the right-hander had said he would probably have a conversation with the front office, since the team had traded David Robertson the night before.
“We put ourselves in this position," Scherzer said. "We haven't played well as a team. I've had a hand in that for why we're in the position that we're at. Can't get mad at anybody but yourself, but it stinks.”
Signed to a three-year, $130 million contract in December 2021, Scherzer pitched to a career-best 2.29 ERA in his first season as a Met in 2022, but this one has been anything but easy for the 39-year-old.
After allowing a combined eight earned runs over his first two starts in Miami and Milwaukee, Scherzer was ejected from his April 19 start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles after umpires deemed he had a sticky substance on his right hand. Scherzer was suspended for 10 games, and after allowing six earned runs in 3.1 innings in his return to the mound in Detroit, he missed his next start due to neck spasms and then also pitched around soreness in his right scapula area.
Though his final outing as a Met on Friday was vintage Scherzer, in 19 starts this season, he went 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
