Max Scherzer reveals Jacob deGrom’s role in trade from Mets to Rangers: ‘Great fit’
Max Scherzer is the new ace of the Rangers’ starting rotation.
And the three-time Cy Young Award winner has his former teammate to thank.
Texas fortified its pitching staff for the stretch run on Sunday by trading with the Mets for Scherzer.
The 39-year-old right-hander will help compensate for the loss of fellow ex-Met Jacob deGrom, who’s out for the season after having Tommy John surgery in June.
When the Rangers introduced Scherzer to the media on Tuesday, he was asked what role deGrom played in the deal.
After all, Scherzer had to waive his no-trade clause before packing his bags.
“Yeah I talked to Jake. … When it did become Texas was on the radar, I was just trying to get a feel for what the organization was about,” Scherzer explained.
“(DeGrom said) how much he really enjoyed all the guys and the staff here and that this was a great situation, great fit. The guys are playing hard and playing well together and that this was a good situation for him. And if I were to come over, it’d be a great situation for myself as well.”
DeGrom may not be pitching in the field for the Rangers but he was still able to contribute to the organization with his recruitment of Scherzer for the stretch run and likely the playoffs.
“So knowing a little history, knowing him as well made it a little bit easier to put trust in his words,” Scherzer continued. “And you know, I believe what he said and I’m excited to be here.”
Scherzer joined deGrom in Queens ahead of the 2022 season, signing a three-year, $130 million contract with the Mets.
Following the 2022 campaign, deGrom left town and agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract with the Rangers.
DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner with the Mets, lasted all of six starts with Texas before landing on the operating table.
At the time, he was 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA.
As for Scherzer, he will look to improve upon his numbers from this season with the Mets, for whom he went 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts.
He’s slated to make his Rangers debut Thursday in the finale of a three-game series with the White Sox.
Scherzer will take the mound for a matinee at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, looking to pad the Rangers’ lead in the American League West, which sits at just a half-game over the Astros going into play Wednesday.
