Max to Tex

A day after closer David Robertson's trade to Miami prompted Max Scherzer to tell reporters that he needed to "talk to the [Mets] brass," the future Hall of Famer was traded to the Texas Rangers.  

Clearly unhappy on a club whose season went sour amidst huge expectations, Max leaves New York with a 20-9 record in 42 starts, along with a disaster of a Wild Card series start last October, when the Padres roasted him for seven runs in 4-2/3 innings.

His 2023 mark was underwhelming: even with Friday's seven innings with just one run allowed,he sports a 4.01 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 107 2/3 innings -- and a career-worst 1.9 home runs per nine innings.

Now, Scherzer will try to fill the shoes of another ex-Met.  Jacob deGrom's season is over (as likely is his 2024) following Tommy John surgery.  With the ex-Cy Young winner on the shelf, and Nate Eovaldi again dealing with arm issues, Scherzer will get the chance to save the Rangers season, while the Mets finish preparing LuisAngel Acuna for what appears to be a bright future in the big leagues.

(This was my one and only time seeing Max in a NY Mets uniform -- his June 29th start against the Brewers.)

 

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