Mets ink Max Scherzer, put cherry on top to weekend spending spree
The legendary pitcher is now a Met after signing a three year, $130 million contract with the club.
Photo courtesy of apardavila (CC BY 2.0)
Three-time Cy Young winner and legendary Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer signed a 3-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets on Nov. 29.
Between Detroit, Washington and Los Angeles, Max Scherzer has built a legacy to remember. He totaled eight All Star appearances and three Cy Young awards and has created a clear path to Baseball’s Hall Of Fame once he retires. His next chapter: The Big Apple.
The New York Mets and Mad Max agreed to a 3 year, $130 million contract (with an opt-out after Year 2) on Monday, Nov. 29, first reported by Jon Heyman on Twitter. It shatters the record for MLB’s highest average annual value for a contract at $43.2 million. The Mets had already dropped $124 million guaranteed on Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha and Starling Marte the previous Friday. But for Mets fans, Scherzer is a whole new level.
Scherzer, along with his agent Scott Boras, was introduced as a Met on Zoom on Dec. 1 by owner Steve Cohen, team president Sandy Alderson and new general manager Billy Eppler. He is happy to start business in New York, as he credited Cohen for being willing to spend.
“He looks at this like he wants to win a championship, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to win,” Scherzer said in the online press conference. “You don’t hear that from owners too often these days.”
Once rivals constantly going against each other in crucial divisional matches, Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are now in the same rotation, creating possibly one of the best 1-2 punches of all time. Now together, they’re eager to return to the mound.
“I called Jacob deGrom after our meeting to get a sense of NY and where he’s at and came away happy with it,” Scherzer said. “The dream of pitching with him; we can do some great things.”
Over his seven years as a Washington National, Scherzer pitched frequently at Citi Field in front of Mets fans, but as an opponent. Now, he’s with the club, and has generally positive things to say about its fanbase.
“The Mets have a nice, blue-collar approach. They really let you have it. It’ll be nice to flip the script this time and have them cheering for me,” Scherzer said.
At 38-years-old, Scherzer might be reaching his twilight years, yet has continued to dominate hitters. When his contract ends, he’ll be 41. Could this be his last contract before retirement?
Scherzer said, “The answer is no.”
Photo credits: “Nationals starter Max Scherzer” by apardavila is licensed under (CC BY 2.0).
