New York Mets Ace Would Waive No-Trade Clause Under Right Circumstances
New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer would waive his no-trade clause under the right circumstances, per a report from MLB.com.
The news was part of a larger piece on what the Mets could to at the trade deadline, with the potential for dealing Scherzer coming under the “tear-down” category.
That certainly would be a turn of events for the Mets, who signed Scherzer to a three-year deal in 2021 that pays him $43.3 million per season.
But given where the Mets were entering Wednesday’s action — 16 games back of the NL East lead and 8.5 games back of the final Wild Card berth — decisions may have to be made.
Of course, Scherzer is in control here. The Mets gave him a full no-trade clause when they signed him. Scherzer would have to waive it.
He’s been moved in a deadline deal before. With Washington in 2021, he was shipped in the final year of his deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he went 7-0 down the stretch before the Dodgers lost to Atlanta in NLCS.
So, there’s precedent. The real question is what exactly are the right circumstances?
Scherzer is likely looking for a team that could get him to the World Series so the 38-year-old could chase a second ring. The Mets would be looking for a harvest of near-MLB ready prospects but would probably have to assume some Scherzer’s remaining salary.
It’s not your typical rent-a-player scenario, either. Scherzer’s 2024 salary is a player option, meaning it’s entirely up to him. So the trade partner would have to be comfortable with the potential for Scherzer to exercise the option in 2024.
For now, everyone waits. But, clearly, Scherzer is in control of what happens next.
