MLB rumors: Max Scherzer trade is in jeopardy, hangup revealed [UPDATE]
By Josh Wilson
The rumored Max Scherzer trade to the Texas Rangers has yet to go through.
Max Scherzer was reportedly traded, in principle, from the New York Mets to the Texas Rangers on Saturday afternoon. The Mets have already sent out David Robertson, and Scherzer is the next pillar in a possible huge firesale for New York.
It looked as though the trade not going official just yet was only due to formalities, such as a physical and Scherzer waiving his no-trade clause. Initial reporting seemed to indicate that Scherzer would waive the clause to get to Arlington.
Further information seems to be going against those initial reports.
FanSided’s Senior MLB Insider Robert Murray confirmed with sources that the deal did hit a snag.
Max Scherzer’s no-trade clause is holding up Rangers/Mets trade
UPDATE: Scherzer has decided to waive his no-trade clause and is now a Texas Ranger according to Jon Heyman.
According to Mark Feinsand, Max Scherzer has not waived his no-trade clause, and is reporting that a source told him, “As of right now, it’s not happening.”
Despite reports to the contrary, Max Scherzer has not yet waived his no-trade clause, and a source with knowledge of the situation said, “As of right now, it’s not happening.” Things can change of course, so this saga is far from over.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2023
Feinsand’s reporting on the situation seems to indicate it’s not a matter of Scherzer not having waived the no-trade clause yet, but that he doesn’t want to waive it at all.
Jon Heyman soon after reported that Scherzer was willing to waive his no-trade clause, the Rangers wanted the option on 2024 ($43.33 million) converted to a guarantee. Scherzer wanted to retain his ability to opt-out and get back in free agency.
Scherzer deal to Texas for Luisangel Acuna has hit an impasse. While Scherzer was willing to waive his no-trade he hasn't agreed to turn the 2024 part of his deal from an option for $43.33M into a guarantee for $43.33M. (Wants to retain his optionality).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2023
So essentially, Scherzer was OK to commit for 2023, but is undecided on committing to Texas for 2024 just yet. The Rangers, meanwhile, want to ensure they get Scherzer for at least two years since they’ll be giving up a top prospect in the trade.
It’s unclear why that might be. Scherzer may not want to be traded, period (though his comments on Friday night seemed to push on the desire to be moved), or he may not want to be traded to the Rangers, specifically.
If the Scherzer trade falls through, it could easily open the door for the Rangers to instead try to acquire Justin Verlander from the Mets, who Texas appeared to want before Scherzer, even.
Verlander, too, has a no-trade clause.
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