Eight-time All-Star Max Scherzer is nearing a $130m, three-year contract with the New York Mets, according to multiple reports.
The $43.33m average salary would easily set a baseball record, smashing the $36m Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole in averaging in his $324m, nine-year contract.
Scherzer, a 37-year-old right-hander, would have the right to opt out after the 2023 season to become a free agent once again. Scherzer also receives a full no-trade provision, requiring his approval for any deals.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer was 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA last season for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, who acquired him on July 30. He struck out 236 and walked 36 in 179 innings, averaging 94.4 mph with his fastball in the final season of a seven-year contract.
He is 190-97 with a 3.16 ERA in 14 major league seasons for Arizona (2008-09), Detroit (2010-14), Washington and the Dodgers.
A workhorse who helped the Nationals win the 2019 World Series title, Scherzer won the AL Cy Young in 2013 and consecutive NL Cy Youngs in 2016 and 2017. Scherzer joins a rotation headed by two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, who didn’t pitch after 7 July because of injury.
Noah Syndergaard, returning from Tommy John surgery, left for a $21m, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The Mets lost out on left-hander Steven Matz, whose $44m, four-year contract with the S. Louis Cardinals was to be finalized Monday.
New York also have pending deals with center fielder Starling Marte, outfielder/first baseman Mark Canha and infielder Eduardo Escobar, all contingent on successful physicals.