The Max Scherzer trade is finally a done deal.
The New York Mets are sending the three-time Cy Young Award winner to the Texas Rangers in exchange for shortstop Luisangel Acuña, younger brother of All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that under terms of the deal, Scherzer will opt in for 2024. The Mets will pay $35 million-plus of Scherzer’s salary through 2024, while the Rangers will pick up $22 million.
The 21-year-old Acuña was the Rangers No. 3 prospect and is ranked No. 44 in MLB.com’s Top 100.
Full details of the trade, per ESPN sources:
Texas receives Max Scherzer
New York receives 21-year-old shortstop Luisangel Acuña, the brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr.
Scherzer opts in to 2024.
The Rangers will pay Scherzer $22.5M. The Mets will cover $35M-plus.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2023
News of the trade broke late Saturday afternoon, although Scherzer had to waive his no-trade clause to approve the deal. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported after the initial news, however, that the deal was on hold for that reason, saying, “As of right now, it’s not happening.”
Now it’s been finalized. The Rangers can plug Scherzer into their rotation for what they hope will be a deep postseason run, while the Mets and their fans can only wonder what went wrong in what was supposed to be a great season.
The 39-year-old Scherzer has a 9-4 record with a 4.01 ERA (4.73 FIP) this year.
As with any trade, fans and analysts disagreed on which team came out on top.
Mets fans to Max Scherzer on the way out for some reason: pic.twitter.com/Cc69XVUCOo
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) July 30, 2023
I wouldn’t ever want to give up a guy named Acuna related to Ronald, but it’s a solid deal on both sides. Especially if Scherzer magically stays healthy. No downside for Mets. Massive up and downside for Rangers.
— Ryan (@BaseballGuyRyan) July 30, 2023
Mets get a top propsect who will likely be in the majors next year (already torching AA) and luxury tax + salary relief, Rangers get an arm to try to help them get back to the World Series – at a high cost.
Ownership in Texas is going all-in.. whether it works we don’t know.
— Gregory Pearsoll (@GPJaysfan) July 30, 2023
I’d argue losing an infielder with no future with the Rangers, and only paying $22.5 million of the contact, that it isn’t a “high cost” trade for the Rangers. Mets are still on the hook for $35+ million of that contract.
— Douglas Kinsey (@Douglas_Kinsey1) July 30, 2023
he was really upset with the way Mets front office treated the Robertson deal, so he set up a meeting to speak his mind, basically just so he can leave the Mets and go somewhere else, makes perfect sense.
— \m/DrXtreme\m/ (@DrXtreme80) July 30, 2023
Rangers got fleeced.
Really traded away a top 50 talent for a washed SP with anger issues.
— nola is my dad (@Suhhh_Kiiid) July 30, 2023
Can’t believe the Mets turned Scherzer into a top 100 prospect
— Metlife Cat (@MetlifeCat) July 30, 2023
