Mad Max Heads to Texas

One of many largest names on the commerce market discovered a brand new house on Saturday night because the Texas Rangers picked up pitcher Max Scherzer from the New York Mets in return for shortstop prospect Luisangel Acuña, per Andy Martino. Scherzer’s contract runs via 2024 at a hefty $43.33 million per season, with the Mets masking a bit greater than $35 million of his remaining deal. Per Jeff Passan, Scherzer gained’t train his participant opt-out and can stay with the Rangers via the top of his contract.

Scherzer isn’t simply one of many deadline’s most well-known names, after all, however one of many elite pitchers of his technology. And whereas he’s now not at his peak, his 3.65 xERA takes a few of the sting out of him posting his first ERA north of 4.00 since 2011. Certainly, as Mets’ disasters go, Scherzer’s season has been a reasonably delicate one. His strikeout and stroll charges are unimpressive by his requirements, however they didn’t dive off a cliff; loads of the issue has been gopher balls, which are usually fairly unstable for pitchers.

The Rangers’ motivation right here is clear. Their success this season has been a pleasing shock, however their breakout is generally as a result of group’s offense main the league in runs scored reasonably than its pitching prowess. With Jacob deGrom’s damage, solely Nathan Eovaldi and Dane Dunning have been standouts in Texas. Jon Grey has been pitching like a serviceable mid-rotation starter, however Martín Pérez and Andrew Heaney aren’t more likely to encourage dread in opposing lineups come October. It stays to be seen whether or not the Rangers can maintain off the Astros, however some type of playoff look is probably going, and Texas had an actual must agency up its postseason rotation. It definitely doesn’t damage that including Scherzer can assist the Rangers maintain the Astros from sneaking into the division lead within the meantime.

ZiPS expects Scherzer to pitch higher than he has thus far this season, although not fairly to the extent of his finest years.

There’s a fairly large projected drop-off from 2023 to 2024, as any participant approaching 40 represents a big threat. Nonetheless, even a reasonably middling 2024 projection is more likely to be useful to the Rangers.

The Mets nonetheless have a non-zero probability of constructing the playoffs, however proprietor Steve Cohen didn’t spend a bazillion {dollars} to attempt to limp into the postseason. To my thoughts, buying and selling Scherzer doesn’t sign a change in method a lot as a short lived tactical retreat to allow them to struggle one other day on terrain extra to their liking.

If the Mets hadn’t included any cash, they possible wouldn’t have obtained a big prospect in return and won’t have been been in a position to shut the deal in any respect. As a substitute, the $35 million headed to Arlington helped them fetch Acuña. Due to his very well-known brother, Acuña has loads of identify recognition for a prospect of his stage. However he’s not using on anybody’s coattails, as he’s a superb prospect who has blossomed upon repeating Double-A this yr. Acuña is an aggressive participant with spectacular bodily instruments and plate self-discipline that isn’t a tire hearth. He already has 42 stolen bases within the minors this yr, and in a full season within the majors, has an excellent shot at difficult for the league lead in swipes. And a .280/.319/.381 translation for a 21-year-old shortstop who isn’t merely faking the place? Sure, please.

Acuña’s offensive comp checklist is in every single place, as one would possibly count on for such a uncooked expertise. The perfect names within the high 20 or so embrace Rafael Furcal, Dave Concepcion, Trea Turner, Rod Carew, and Tim Anderson. On the dangerous aspect, you see gamers like Donell Nixon, Alfredo Griffin, and Wilton Guerrero.

Michael Baumann will likely be alongside shortly with extra on this commerce, so keep tuned.