Texas Rangers and New York Mets trade: Max Scherzer now in Rangers for shortstop prospect; Here are the details

The Texas Rangers and New York Mets have completed a trade involving Max Scherzer, where the Rangers will cover $22.5 million of his contract, and the Mets will pay the rest. In exchange, the Mets receive shortstop Luisangel Acuña. The deal strengthens the Rangers' rotation after Jacob deGrom's season-ending injury, while the Mets may continue selling assets before the trade deadline. The information is from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Scherzer's Performance and Contract Details

Max Scherzer, 39, has had a mixed season in 2023 with a 4.01 ERA and 4.03 K/BB ratio in 107 2/3 innings. He allowed the most home runs in the NL at 23. Despite his performance not meeting his usual high standards, his adjusted ERA is close to the league average. This season, Scherzer faced challenges with neck and back issues, including a suspension for excessive sticky stuff.
Scherzer is currently in the second year of a three-year, $130 million deal with the Mets, signed in November 2021. While he won't stay with the Mets for the entire contract, he will see it through with the Rangers.

Mets' Selling Motivation and Scherzer's Approval

The Mets' decision to trade closer David Robertson to the Marlins signaled their intention to be sellers, disappointing Scherzer. This may lead him to waive his full no-trade protection and approve the deal to Texas.

Rangers' Status and Rotation Upgrade

With a 60-44 record, the Rangers lead the American League West, closely pursued by the Astros. Scherzer will now bolster their rotation, which includes Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, and Martín Pérez. Earlier, they had acquired reliever Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Royals.

Luisangel Acuña's Potential

Acquired by the Mets in the trade, Luisangel Acuña stands at 5-foot-8 but possesses a fast bat and above-average power potential. However, he needs to work on being more selective with pitches and reducing ground-ball tendencies. Despite his flaws, Acuña has shown above-average performance at the Double-A level, promising for his future.

Defensive Outlook for Acuña

Acuña has the athleticism and arm strength to play on the left side, preferably shortstop. Though he needs to work on some aspects, it is unlikely that he'll be moved from the position.
Overall, the trade brings significant changes to both teams' lineups and holds potential for further development in the players' careers

FAQs

Who is Max Scherzer?
Max Scherzer is a professional baseball player, not "Mex" Scherzer. He is a highly accomplished pitcher known for his exceptional performances in Major League Baseball (MLB). Scherzer has won the Cy Young Award three times and has been considered one of the top pitchers in the league throughout his career. He has played for various teams, including the Texas Rangers and the New York Mets, among others.

What is the biggest league in baseball?
The biggest league in baseball is Major League Baseball (MLB). It is the top professional baseball league in the world and consists of 30 teams, 29 from the United States and 1 from Canada. MLB is widely regarded as the premier baseball league, featuring the highest level of competition and some of the most talented players in the sport. It has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and remains a popular and prominent league in modern sports.


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