This season is not exactly going the way the New York Mets had hoped. And with Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaching, the team has more questions than answers to give. The Mets, who are currently six games shy of a .500 record and 17.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East, are squarely in the Wild Card race. The only problem is that doesn’t become a true reality until the team can get to .500. And they’re running out of time to do so.
The Mets expected to be legitimate contenders this season, but instead, there’s now a real discussion about potentially trading away an ace pitcher—despite his objections—as their World Series hopes continent to dwindle.
Saturday, New York Mets ace Max Scherzer fielded a question about the ongoing trade rumors during this time of the year. The Mets starter has a full no-trade clause and has previously been asked if he would consider waiving it to allow the team to deal him to another team before the trade deadline.
“I’m just not commenting on trades. I’m just not,” Scherzer said. “I’m here to win with the Mets. Nothing else. There’s no reason…It’s clickbait.”
Max Scherzer was asked about trade rumors as the trade deadline approaches:
"I'm just not commenting on trades, I'm just not. I'm here to win with the Mets and nothing else. It's clickbait" pic.twitter.com/ibedgxnVRs
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 23, 2023
Scherzer has previously expressed that any discussion involving him being traced is merely “clickbait.” But after his latest clunker—Scherzer allowed five runs (four home runs) in an 8-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox Saturday—the Mets have to at least entertain the idea.
The fact that Scherzer’s tenure with the Mets has gotten to this point is brutal news for the organization, and the MLB world had plenty to say about it.
I would lol at whichever competing team thinks Scherzer would make them better, but given how useless the Mets coaching staff seems to be on the pitching side, bar is pretty low to help him bounce back https://t.co/DqjQN8U07s
— Michael Conte, @michaelconte.bsky.social (@MichaelTConte) July 23, 2023
I actually really feel for Max and do think he can turn it around. You can tell it’s bothering him to no end not helping this team.
The “he doesn’t care about winning and only wants the money” narrative is so dumb tbh lmao https://t.co/MRuslZbS8i
— olivia (@oliviapipia) July 23, 2023
Actually we’re okay we can win without you thanks tho https://t.co/795PSJCTEy
— Sam (@TreIindor20) July 23, 2023
ASK HIM ABOUT RETIREMENT NEXT https://t.co/SxUygDpJwX
— METS MENACE (@MRMENACE231) July 23, 2023
When is he gonna start winning for the Mets? We’ve been waiting almost two years
— Sal Morrongiello (@SalFALantonio) July 23, 2023
Could’ve fooled me https://t.co/kgaick1M9y
— Phill (@MeekPhill_) July 23, 2023
Mets owner Steve Cohen has previously said that he doesn’t “even broach that topic” of trading either Scherzer or Justin Verlander. Whether that statement holds remains to be seen come Aug. 1.
[SNY]
