The Texas Rangers have acquired Max Scherzer in a trade with the New York Mets. What does it mean for each club and the MLB postseason race?
The Rangers have been one of the top contenders in the American League this season, and with the Scherzer trade, they announce themselves as serious contenders. Currently, Texas holds the third-best record in the AL at 60-44, 3.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. They’ve been hit with injuries to the starting rotation this season; Jacob deGrom and Jake Odorizzi are both out for the season. As an alternative, the Rangers have turned to the trade market and pulled off a blockbuster deal. Let’s look at what this trade means for each team, and the deal’s impact on the postseason race.
Correction: Texas is paying Scherzer $22.5 MM. Mets are paying it down to that level. My mistake for typing it backwards. https://t.co/XeqUy1ZtF3
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 30, 2023
Rangers Receive A Frontline Starter
Max Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. This season, Scherzer is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts. He’s struck out 121 batters in 107.2 innings while walking 30. He also leads the National League in home runs allowed with 23. Despite his inconsistency this season, Scherzer is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a fiery competitor. His postseason experience with the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles Dodgers will help him anchor the front of the Rangers rotation during the pennant race.
For the Rangers, the Scherzer trade improves an already strong roster. Texas’s offense leads the league with a 122 WRC+ (100 is league average), as well as batting average and runs scored. However, their pitching staff ranks only 16th in the league in ERA, despite their starters ranking fifth with a 3.86 mark. Scherzer provides even more innings out of the rotation to ease the strain on a struggling bullpen. His clubhouse presence will be an intangible asset for the Rangers and places him on a contending team in the latter stages of his career. His contract contains a player option for next year, so Scherzer is not strictly a rental option. However, he does carry a league-record salary, which will strain an already high Texas payroll. To make the deal work, the Rangers will only pay $22.5 million of Scherzer’s remaining 2023 contract, with New York covering the rest.
Mets Receive Top 100 Prospect
In return, the Mets will receive middle infielder Luisangel Acuna from Texas, who is the 44th-ranked prospect on MLB.com’s Top 100 list. Acuna, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., was the Rangers’ 4th-ranked prospect. In terms of blockbuster deals, the deal is not as big as many others. However, New York receives $22.5 million in payroll relief, which is valuable: The Mets carry a league-record payroll and significant luxury tax bill. The expensive roster has been a massive disappointment and ultimately led to the Scherzer trade. All in all, Acuña plus salary relief was a worthwhile haul for the Mets. Scherzer had to waive his no-trade clause, making it clear he no longer trusted the direction of the franchise.
Impact on the MLB Playoff Pictures
The Scherzer trade will have significant impacts on both league playoff races. For the American League, the move solidifies the Rangers as a true threat. Texas holds just a two-game lead on the Houston Astros in the AL West. Bolstering their starting rotation, at a time when the Astros’ depth is being tested, is a solid move to build some distance in the standings. Houston currently holds the second wild-card spot. The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels are within striking distance of the playoffs as well. Texas has 6 games remaining against both the Angels and Mariners, and only three against the Astros.
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In the National League, the Scherzer trade announces the Mets as sellers. With this move, New York effectively announces itself as out of postseason contention in 2023. The Mets sit 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot and fourth place in the crowded NL East. The expectation now is for the club to trade other pieces, like Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. In short, this deal removes a contender for the NL wild-card spots. With the trade market thin on sellers, New York emerges as one of the most interesting teams ahead of the August first deadline, with many players that have high trade values.
Main photo credits:
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Jake Odorizzi, Luisangel Acuna, Ronald Acuna Jr., Tommy Pham, Mark Canha
