Categories: Rumors

Max Scherzer returning to NL East after signing with Mets

Max Scherzer is finalizing a deal with the New York Mets. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

In a move that would have been shocking at the outset of the weekend, three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and the New York Mets are finalizing a three-year, $130 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of Audacy Sports.

The Mets will be Scherzer’s fifth team, following the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award while pitching for the Tigers in 2013, and then the National League Cy Young Award in both 2016 and 2017 with the Nationals.

Scherzer finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2021 — behind Corbin Burnes and Zack Wheeler — after going 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 5.4 fWAR in a season split between the Nationals and Dodgers.

Scherzer will join a rotation that will feature two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, who is coming off an incredible — albeit injury-shortened — 2021 season that saw him post a 1.08 ERA and 1.24 FIP across 92 innings. New York’s rotation will also include Taijuan Walker and Carlos Corrasco.

During his illustrious 14-year career, Scherzer has been dominant against the Phillies. In 25 career starts against the Phillies, Scherzer is 14-4 with a 2.50 ERA.