MLB Weekly Digest July 31st Edition: Mets Trade Max Scherzer

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League moving their starting pitcher for a young prospect, a team making moves to strengthen their rotation and bullpen, and a reliever being traded.

New York Mets Trade Starting Pitcher Max Scherzer to Texas Rangers

The New York Mets have traded starting pitcher Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers for shortstop prospect Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Scherzer deal is now complete. He’s a Ranger

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2023

Scherzer has not only agreed to waive his no-trade clause to complete the deal but will opt into his $43.33-million player option and pitch for the Rangers in 2024, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Full details of the trade, per ESPN sources:

Texas receives Max Scherzer

New York receives 21-year-old shortstop Luisangel Acuña, the brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr.

Scherzer opts in to 2024.

The Rangers will pay Scherzer $22.5M. The Mets will cover $35M-plus.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2023

The Mets will cover over $35 million of the salary for Scherzer, while the Rangers will pay $22.5 million.

Scherzer is having a subpar 2023 MLB season pitching in the Mets’ rotation.

He posted a 4.01 ERA in 107 2/3 innings pitched (19 starts) with 121 strikeouts, 30 walks issued, 23 home runs allowed, a 103 ERA+, 4.73 FIP, and a 1.18 WHIP.

The Rangers have a strong rotation but lost their ace, Jacob deGrom, for the season due to injury.

They hope adding Scherzer will allow them to win the American League West and have a deep postseason run.

The Mets are receiving a stellar player in Acuna, the third-best prospect in the Rangers farm system.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post provided insight into the type of player Acuna is and what he can become.

1)4 talent evaluators got back to me on Luisangel Acuna. Will try to synthesize. A very good, but not yet elite prospect. Terrific athlete/twitchy — feel for stealing bases/good instinctual baserunner. Not as much power as his brother but might grow into more . Learning to add

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2023

3/chance to be a top-flight defensive second baseman and has even dabbled in CF. Good enough athlete to be versatile.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2023

This is the type of deal that works out for both teams involved.

The Rangers add an ace to their rotation, and the Mets add young talent.

Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Lance Lynn Joe Kelly from Chicago White Sox

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired starting pitcher Lance Lynn and reliever Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitching prospects Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure and outfielder Trayce Thompson, per a team announcement.

The Dodgers acquired RHPs Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the White Sox in exchange for OF Trayce Thompson and RHPs Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated IF Eddys Leonard and LHP Justin Bruihl.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 28, 2023

Lynn agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Lynn has posted a 6.47 ERA in 119 2/3 innings pitched with 144 strikeouts, 28 home runs allowed, 45 walks surrendered, a 68 ERA+, 5.22 FIP, and a 1.46 WHIP.

Though Lynn has struggled this season, he has a proven track record of pitching well.

It’s possible going to a new MLB team will result in improved performance.

Kelly is returning to the Dodgers; he was a member of their bullpen from 2019-21 and helped them win a World Series in 2020.

He posted a 4.97 ERA, 3.25 FIP, and a 1.31 WHIP with 41 strikeouts for the White Sox.

This year, he has been limited to 31 appearances due to elbow and groin injuries.

New York Mets Move Reliever David Robertson to Miami Marlins

Per a team announcement, the New York Mets have traded reliever David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for infield prospect Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez.

We have acquired minor league infielder Marco Vargas and minor league catcher Ronald Hernandez from Miami in exchange for RHP David Robertson.

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 28, 2023

Robertson was the lone bright spot for the Mets this season and their best pitcher on the roster.

The closer posted a 2.05 ERA in 44 innings pitched (40 games) with 14 saves, 48 strikeouts, 13 walks yielded, five home runs allowed, a 203 ERA+, 3.60 FIP, and 1.00 WHIP.

Robertson will likely be the closer for the Marlins, as current closer A.J. Puk has been abysmal with a 9.82 ERA and three blown saves in July.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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