Max Scherzer trade details: Rangers to acquire Mets ace ahead of MLB deadline

David Suggs

Max Scherzer trade details: Rangers to acquire Mets ace ahead of MLB deadline image

The Rangers are hanging onto the American League West lead by thread. They're giving their rotation a major upgrade for the stretch run in the form of Max Scherzer.

Mad Max is headed to Globe Life as part of a trade with the Mets. The teams agreed to a deal Saturday, and then Scherzer completed it by waiving his no-trade clause and agreeing to opt into the final year of contract in 2024. New York will send Texas a reported $35 million-plus in cash as part of the agreement.

Scherzer has been far from his best in 2023; his ERA has climbed above 4.00 for the first since his days with the Tigers.

Still, Mad Max is one season removed from striking out 173 batters in 145 1/3 innings. With the Scherzer addition, Texas would bolster a rotation that already ranks as perhaps the division's best.

MORE: Why did the Mets trade Max Scherzer?

Here's what you need to know about the reported deal:.

Max Scherzer trade details

  • Rangers get: RHP Max Scherzer, cash considerations
  • Mets get: SS Luisangel Acuna

The Mets are receiving highly rated shortstop prospect Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna, 21, has been playing for Double-A Frisco this year. He put together a .315/.377/.453 slash line with seven home runs and 42 stolen bases in 84 games.

MORE: What to know about Luisangel Acuna

ESPN's Jeff Passan provided the full details, including how much money each team is on the hook for.

Scherzer's name still carries weight around baseball circles, and New York's willingness to give the Rangers millions to defray the cost of Scherzer's salary helped to improve the return.

It was previously reported that Scherzer wanted to retain his player option for 2024, but he ultimately decided to stick around in Texas through the end of the contract. 

Max Scherzer stats

Scherzer, 39, hasn't quite put up the numbers of some of the league's top arms this year as his career nears its close, but he still finds himself well above league-average in strikeouts.

IP ERA FIP K/9 BB/9 HR/9
107.2 4.01 4.73 10.1 2.5 1.9

He would slot nicely into an already-lively rotation that features Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Dane Dunning at the top and vets Martin Perez and Andrew Heaney at the bottom.  Adding Scherzer to the mix seems unfair to the rest of the division.

This article has been updated.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.