Billy Eppler (C), general manager of the New York Mets, speaks to reporters during the Spring Training Grapefruit League Media Day at Blue Jays Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida, February 16, 2023. /CFP
The New York Mets trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers made many jittery, and the team's general manager Billy Eppler came to clear the air on Sunday.
"I do want to be clear that it's not a rebuild. It's not a fire sale," Eppler said at Citi Field. "It's not a liquidation."
Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star right-handed pitcher who won the Cy Young Award three times and the World Series championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He joined the Mets in December 2021 on a three-year, $130 million contract. He was 9-4 with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.01 in 19 games this season before being sent to the Rangers along with cash considerations for shortstop Luisangel Acuna.
In order to make the trade happen, Scherzer gave up the no-trade clause in his contract. He also opted in for the final year of his contract in 2024 at $43.3 million. The Mets will pay about $35 million of the $58 million left on his contract, according to ESPN.
Max Scherzer of the New York Mets pitches in the game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York City, July 28, 2023. /CFP
"A bit surprised with that one," the Mets' right hander Justin Verlander said of the trade. "Max was obviously an integral part of our team for next season. So, when you see that happen, you can't help but think [about] what's in store for next year. We play this game to win. We want to win a championship and we want to have the opportunity to do so. It changed my opinion a little bit, so tough to see it happen."
Verlander is a three-time Cy Young Award winner too and has won two World Series titles. He joined the Mets in December 2022 on a two-year, $86.7 million deal. He has been 6-5 with an ERA of 3.15 in 16 games so far this season.
The Mets have a payroll of over $345 million, the largest of all 30 teams and $63 million bigger than that of the New York Yankees, the second on the table. However, they are only 50-55 by Sunday, ranking fourth in the National League (NL) East, not even with a wild-card spot.
Justin Verlander of the New York Mets pitches in the game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York City, July 30, 2023. /CFP
"I think it largely depends on how the organization views next year," Verlander said. "I think Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it. So, I'm committed to trying to win a championship here, but if the organization decides that that's not exactly the direction that they think is a best fit for next year and go for it again next year then yeah, I would be more open to it."
In order to keep others on the Mets' roster from being "open" to trade, Eppler texted center fielder Brandon Nimmo and shortstop Francisco Lindor. "They understand. It's not a fire sale and it's not a liquidation. So they got it," the general manager said.
Last season, the Mets won 101 games, registering more than 100 wins for the first time since 1988. However, they lost to the San Diego Padres 2-1 in the NL Wild Card Game. The last time the Mets appeared in the World Series was in 2015, but they lost to the Kansas City Royals 4-1.