The Texas Rangers acquired Max Scherzer and cash considerations from the New York Mets on Sunday after the three-time Cy Young Award winner opted to waive his no-trade clause.
The Mets acquired middle infielder and center fielder Luisangel Acuna to complete the deal for the right-hander. The 21-year-old is the younger brother of the Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna and was the No. 3 prospect in the Rangers’ organization prior to the trade.
Scherzer, who turned 39 on Thursday, is in the second season of a three-year, $130 million deal with New York that he signed as a free agent following the 2021 season. Scherzer will make more than $43 million next season, with the Rangers on the hook for $22.5 million, per ESPN.
“We are thrilled to add a pitcher of Max’s caliber and experience to our staff,” said Chris Young, the Rangers executive vice president and general manager. “Max is a fierce competitor and a proven winner, and we can’t wait to get him in a Rangers uniform.”
Scherzer was highly disappointed publicly when the Mets traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
“I probably have to have a conversation with our front office,” Scherzer said after Friday’s win over the Washington Nationals. “You’re trading our closer away. A bunch of people are gonna have a conversation with the front office.”
The deal with the Marlins seemed to indicate the Mets weren’t going to load up to make a run at a National League wild-card spot this season. New York is a disappointing 49-55 entering Sunday’s game against Washington.
The first-place Rangers are trying to hold off the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in the American League West.
Scherzer is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts for New York this season, on pace for his highest ERA since a 4.43 mark with the Detroit Tigers in 2011 when he was only 26.
Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award in 2013 with Detroit and earned the NL Cy Young in 2016 and 2017 with the Washington Nationals.
He is 210-106 with a 3.15 ERA in 449 career appearances (440 starts) with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2008-09), Tigers (2010-14), Nationals (2015-21), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and Mets.
Luisangel Acuna hit .315 with seven homers and 51 RBIs across 84 games at Double-A Frisco this season. The Mets announced that he will be optioned to Double-A Binghamton.
–Field Level Media