Texas Rangers make bold move, acquire Max Scherzer from New York mets in major trade

The Texas Rangers have shaken up the baseball world by securing three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade with the New York Mets on Saturday night. According to a reliable source familiar with the deal, this move signals the Rangers’ determination to solidify their position as unexpected leaders in the AL West.

The person, who requested anonymity since the trade is yet to be officially announced, revealed that the Rangers are adding Scherzer, a 39-year-old pitching sensation, to their roster. This comes in addition to another former Mets pitcher, the formidable Jacob deGrom, who is currently sidelined due to Tommy John elbow surgery, potentially keeping him out for the rest of the next season.

Reports indicate that New York will receive one of Texas’s top prospects, the talented infielder Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of the renowned Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr., as part of the deal.

In an interesting twist, Scherzer has agreed to opt in on the final year of his contract in 2024, a deal worth $43 million. Furthermore, the Mets have reportedly agreed to contribute approximately $35 million of the remaining $58 million on the right-hander’s contract.

For the Mets, who have faced disappointment this season and currently stand far behind in their division and the wild-card race, parting ways with Scherzer represents a strategic move. Just two days ago, they traded closer David Robertson to Miami for two promising minor leaguers.

With Scherzer’s departure, the focus now shifts to what the Mets will do with another veteran ace, Justin Verlander, a three-time Cy Young winner signed through the next season. Given his talent and experience, many teams are likely to express interest in acquiring the 40-year-old right-hander.

On the other hand, Texas has been on an upward trajectory, escaping six consecutive losing seasons to take the lead in the AL West under the guidance of their three-time World Series champion manager, Bruce Bochy.

Earlier in June, the Rangers made headlines by acquiring dominant closer Aroldis Chapman from Kansas City. Chapman has been effectively used in a setup role, with Will Smith handling most of the closing duties.

With Scherzer now joining their rotation, the Rangers are shoring up their pitching arsenal, particularly considering the uncertainty surrounding deGrom’s return, which might extend until the end of Scherzer’s contract.

Coinciding with the Scherzer trade, the Rangers announced that they are postponing All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi’s next start due to a sore elbow. However, the club believes the issue is not serious.

While Texas added deGrom in the offseason, signing him to a $185 million, five-year contract, his elbow issues have proven challenging. DeGrom only managed six starts before a month-long absence due to elbow trouble, leading to his second Tommy John procedure.

Commenting on the trade rumors circulating before their game against San Diego, manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged the team’s need to improve their starting rotation.

Scherzer, with a current record of 9-4, has been a standout player for the Mets this season, leading the team in victories. However, his ERA has been higher than usual, standing at 4.01, a stat he hasn’t seen since his time with the Detroit Tigers in 2011. In his last start for the Mets against Washington, Scherzer allowed just one run in seven innings in a 5-1 New York victory.

With an impressive career total of 210 victories, Scherzer currently ranks third among active pitchers, trailing only Verlander and Kansas City’s Zack Greinke.

The trade marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing baseball season, with both teams making significant moves to bolster their rosters for the future.