Mets Sign RHP Max Scherzer To Massive Deal
Buckle up, Mets fans. Max Scherzer is on his way to Queens.
The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer has signed with the Mets, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. It's a three-year, $130 million deal for Scherzer, who'll join forces with RHP Jacob deGrom to make up one of the best starting pitching duos in MLB history. Scherzer has an opt-out after the second season.
Scherzer is the oldest player in MLB history to sign a $100 million contract. Kevin Brown had that record when he signed for over $100 million with the Padres at 33 years old in 1998.
Since his breakout Cy Young season with the Tigers in 2013, Scherzer has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. From 2013-2021, Scherzer made the All-Star team every season, starting the 2021 All-Star Game for the National League. Scherzer is 190-97 for his career with a 3.16 ERA. He became just the 19th member of the 3,000 strikeouts club this past season, now with 3,020 for his career.
After spending seven seasons with the Nationals, winning two Cy Young awards and a World Series in 2019, Scherzer was dealt to the Dodgers alongside Trea Turner for a prospect package headlined by catcher Keibert Ruiz and RHP Josiah Gray at last season’s MLB trade deadline. Scherzer was even better in Dodger blue, going 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 11 starts.
The Mets let RHP Noah Syndergaard walk in free agency when he signed with the Angels on a one-year, $21 million deal on Nov. 16. RHP Marcus Stroman is also a free agent after spending the last three seasons with New York. It's unlikely he will sign back after the acquisition of Scherzer.
The Mets and owner Steve Cohen are going for it, as evidenced by their heavy spending early in the offseason. New York signed outfielders Mark Canha, Starling Marte and infielder Eduardo Escobar to deals for a combined $124.5 million last week.
New York is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 after going 77-85 in 2021.
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