Max Scherzer is not able to name it quits on a Corridor of Fame-level profession.
The 40-year-old beginning pitcher, who spent the previous 1.5 seasons with the Texas Rangers (profitable the 2023 World Collection with the group), just lately held a professional day for groups at Cressey Sports activities Efficiency in Florida.
Per Sports activities Illustrated’s Pat Ragazzo, considered one of Scherzer’s suitors is the New York Mets, the group he performed for in 2022 and 2023.
However how a lot sense does a reunion make for the Mets?
On the floor, a one-year contract for a pitcher who will flip 41 in July carries a level of danger. Scherzer is coming off a 2024 season during which he made simply 9 begins due to damage, posting a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 43.1 innings.
Nonetheless, New York’s beginning rotation feels incomplete. Regardless of adding veteran pitchers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes in free agency and bringing back lefty Sean Manaea from last season, New York lacks a real ace. They’ve right-hander Kodai Senga, who needs to be wholesome this season, however the Mets might want to see extra after his temporary and uninspiring postseason in 2024.
To be clear, Scherzer, who’s 216-112 over 17 big-league seasons, isn’t an ace himself at this stage of his profession. However depth issues over a 162-game common season, and much more so for a Mets group that expects to contend for a playoff spot once more in 2025. In that regard, the veteran right-hander would carry a wealth of October expertise and familiarity taking part in in New York.
Scherzer’s Mets tenure might be most remembered for his playoff dud within the 2022 NL wild-card sequence in opposition to the San Diego Padres, in addition to his less-than-clutch efficiency in an important September sequence in opposition to the Atlanta Braves that denied the Mets their first NL East division title since 2015.
It is also value noting that the Mets traded Scherzer at the 2023 deadline for infielder Luisangel Acuna, after proprietor Steve Cohen reportedly told Scherzer the Mets were essentially punting on 2024 with a goal to return to contention by 2025. Is that relationship frayed in any respect? That a lot is unclear. The Mets do have a brand new entrance workplace since then, although, led by David Stearns.
For now, a reunion between the Mets and Max Scherzer is merely rumor. However this shall be an attention-grabbing storyline to observe.
