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The Texas Rangers acquired star right-hander Max Scherzer from the New York Mets in a Saturday trade, fortifying the Rangers' rotation for a World Series run as the dismantling of the disappointing Mets continues.
While a tentative deal was struck earlier in the day, it was contingent on Scherzer waiving a no-trade clause. One day after expressing frustration over the Mets' trade of closer David Robertson, Scherzer approved the deal to Texas, where he'll join the American League West-leading Rangers, who at 60-45 are one game ahead of the Houston Astros.
In return, the Mets will receive Luisangel Acuna, 21, a middle infielder and center fielder who will likely be among New York's top prospects.
Acuna was playing for Double-A Frisco in the Rangers' system and was hitting .315 with seven home runs, 51 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 82 games. He is the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr.
As part of the deal, Scherzer has elected to opt in to the 2024 season with the Rangers. Texas will pay Scherzer $22.5 million, while the Mets will cover more than $35 million of the remaining terms.
In the 39-year-old Scherzer, the Rangers get a future Hall of Famer whose 2023 season has been up and down by his own high standards. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA, has struck out 121 and walked 30 in 107⅔ innings and has allowed a National League-high 23 home runs.
Scherzer joined New York before the 2022 season and thrived while on the mound, with a 2.29 ERA in 145⅓ innings over 23 starts.
While a tentative deal was struck earlier in the day, it was contingent on Scherzer waiving a no-trade clause. One day after expressing frustration over the Mets' trade of closer David Robertson, Scherzer approved the deal to Texas, where he'll join the American League West-leading Rangers, who at 60-45 are one game ahead of the Houston Astros.
In return, the Mets will receive Luisangel Acuna, 21, a middle infielder and center fielder who will likely be among New York's top prospects.
Acuna was playing for Double-A Frisco in the Rangers' system and was hitting .315 with seven home runs, 51 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 82 games. He is the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr.
As part of the deal, Scherzer has elected to opt in to the 2024 season with the Rangers. Texas will pay Scherzer $22.5 million, while the Mets will cover more than $35 million of the remaining terms.
In the 39-year-old Scherzer, the Rangers get a future Hall of Famer whose 2023 season has been up and down by his own high standards. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA, has struck out 121 and walked 30 in 107⅔ innings and has allowed a National League-high 23 home runs.
Scherzer joined New York before the 2022 season and thrived while on the mound, with a 2.29 ERA in 145⅓ innings over 23 starts.