Mets Trade Max Scherzer to Rangers in Blockbuster Deal, per Report

Scherzer is headed to Texas after the trade was reportedly finalized on Saturday night

The Rangers and Mets have reportedly finalized a blockbuster trade that will see veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer head to Texas, according to a report Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

In exchange for Scherzer, Rangers infield prospect Luisangel Acuña—younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.—will be dealt to New York, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. Acuña, 21, is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Texas’s system and MLB Pipeline’s No. 44 prospect. 

Heyman reported earlier that the teams had come to terms on an agreement, but the deal would require Scherzer to approve a trade to the Rangers. 

SNY’s Andy Martino indicated that Scherzer would waive his no-trade clause and approve the trade to Texas. However, other obstacles, reportedly on the “financial side,” still remained before the deal could be made official, though it seems all parties involved were ultimately able to bypass any late hurdles and achieve a deal.

According to Joel Sherman, Scherzer will retain his $43.3 million player option for the 2024 season. He’s owed $15.8 million for the rest of the 2023 season. If Scherzer opts in with the Rangers next season, Sherman indicates the Mets will be on the hook for roughly $36.6 million of what the three-time Cy Young winner is owed. 

As part of the trade, Scherzer has agreed to exercise his player option and will stay with the Rangers through 2024, per Passan, finishing out his current contract. 

Scherzer was in his second season with the Mets. He’s made 19 starts this season, registering 121 strikeouts across 107.2 innings while walking 30 and surrendering a National League-high 23 home runs. His 4.01 ERA is the highest he’s recorded since 2011. 

At 49–54, the Mets sit in fourth in the National League East and are 6 1/2 games back of a Wild Card spot. Joining the Rangers, who are in first in the American League West, puts Scherzer back on track to pitching in the playoffs this season, and potentially competing for a championship.