Reports: Mets, Max Scherzer Agree To Record 3-Year, $130 Million Deal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It appears the Mets will have the best 1-2 starting pitching tandem in baseball.
Numerous reports say New York has agreed to a record 3-year, $130 million contract with free agent right-hander Max Scherzer. The veteran ace would receive more than $43 million per season with an opt-out after two years.
Scherzer, 37, is coming off a season in which he went a combined 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his 15-year career, Scherzer is 190-97 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 3,020 strikeouts in 2,536 2/3 innings. The eight-time All-Star has won three Cy Young Awards.
As CBS2's Otis Livingston reported, Scherzer's decision came down to the Mets and Dodgers. The agreement came less than a week after Mets owner Steve Cohen went scorched earth on free agent left-hander Steven Matz's agent for what he said was the reneging on a deal to return the former Met to Queens.
Scherzer will slot in next to two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom in the rotation and put the Mets in prime position to try to unseat the World Series champion Atlanta Braves atop the highly competitive NL East.
The Scherzer move comes on the heels of the Mets reportedly agreeing to a four-year, $78 million contract with free agent outfielder Starling Marte on Saturday. They have also reportedly reached agreements with outfielder Mark Canha and infielder Eduardo Escobar.
CBS2's Otis Livingston contributed to this report.
