Mets trade Scherzer to Rangers; SP reportedly exercises 2024 option
Mad Max is off to Texas.
The New York Mets traded star right-hander Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infield/outfield prospect Luisangel Acuna, the teams announced Sunday.
Acuna is the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr.
In addition to waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal, Scherzer opted into his $43.33-million player option and will pitch for the Rangers in 2024, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The Mets will cover all but $22.5 million of the remaining salary on his contract, Passan reports. Scherzer is owed approximately $15.8 million over the balance of this season.
The blockbuster deal briefly appeared to be in peril while the teams were working through contractual issues. For a time, Scherzer was said to be unwilling to pick up his player option, something the Rangers wanted him to do if they were to give up Acuna, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The issue was reportedly resolved fairly quickly.
Scherzer is in the midst of his worst campaign in more than a decade, authoring a 4.01 ERA and career-worst 4.73 FIP in 19 starts while earning $43.3 million. The veteran hurler is also tied for the most home runs allowed in the National League.
Scherzer is still striking out hitters at a high rate, though, as his 10.1 K/9 ranks eighth among NL starters.
The Rangers boast one of the American League's top rotations, ranking first in wins and fourth in ERA. They're playing without the injured Jacob deGrom, so adding Scherzer would give them another legitimate ace to team up with Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray, and Martin Perez.
Texas leads the Astros by one game in the AL West.
The trade comes one day after the pitcher appeared to be upset with the Mets' front office for trading closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins.
Acuna, who heads to New York, was ranked by MLB.com as the Rangers' No. 3 prospect, and No. 44 overall, prior to the trade. The 21-year-old is hitting .315/.377/.453 with seven homers, 51 RBIs, and 42 stolen bases in 84 games with Double-A Frisco this year.
Originally signed by Texas out of Venezuela in 2018, Acuna was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster this past offseason.