The New York Mets have traded Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers for Luisangel Acuña, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Photo by Roberto Carlo
Scherzer immediately improves the Rangers rotation, which lost Jacob deGrom earlier in the season and has struggled after Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray. While Scherzer hasn’t been dominant this season, the right-hander is still striking out 10.1 batters per nine and has a 103 ERA+.
The trade comes 24 hours after Scherzer spoke to the media about speaking to the Mets “Brass” about the direction of the organization. Now, Scherzer joins a Rangers team that is 60-44 and in first place in the American League West.
In return, the Mets received Acuña, the 44th best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, and the brother of Ronald Acuña Jr. The 21-year-old is hitting .315/.377/.453 with 25 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 42 stolen bases this season in Double-A.
In order for the deal to go through, the Mets are covering all but $22.5 million and Scherzer had to waive his no-trade clause. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Scherzer exercised his player option and will be a Texas Ranger for the 2024 season.
