Breaking News: Mets Max it Out for Scherzer

37-year-old right-hander coming to Flushing on record deal

Image credit: Chris Simon

Max Scherzer, the proud owner of three Cy Young Awards, eight All-Star Game appearances, a World Series championship ring, MVP votes in six different seasons, and the most wins above replacement among MLB pitchers since 2013 is coming to the New York Mets.

Well, isn’t that fun to type.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Hall of Fame shoo-in will receive $130 million over three years with more details to follow. The $43.3 million annual average value of Scherzer’s deal is a Major League Baseball record.

After posting a 2.46 ERA with 236 strikeouts, 36 walks, and a majors-leading 0.86 WHIP over 30 starts (179.1 innings; 5.2 bWAR, 5.4 fWAR) between Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, the 37-year-old was reportedly heavily pursued in free agency.

The Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels were all rumored to be in on Scherzer during his courtship’s final hours but the Mets were clearly motivated to make a deal happen and flexed their financial muscle to do so.

With Scherzer in the fold, the Mets starting rotation now reads as Jacob deGrom, Scherzer, Taijuan Walker, and Carlos Carrasco. A steadfast group, no doubt, with presumably some tinkering left on the docket.

Enjoy this one, Mets fans. Hopefully the first of many.

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