Starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Mets to make Max Scherzer highest-paid MLB player?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 11/29/21

The New York Mets are close to landing one of the biggest free agents on the market, and they are seemingly willing to make him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball to make it happen.

The Mets are finalizing a contract with pitcher Max Scherzer, as SNY’s Andy Martino first reported. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network and others, the deal is worth $130 million over three seasons.

Max Scherzer and the Mets are finalizing $130M, 3-year deal. Minor details to go only.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021

That would mean the Mets would be paying Scherzer $43 million per year, which is more than any other player in baseball from an average annual value standpoint. Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is set to earn $36 million in 2022, which was previously tied with New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole for the highest pitcher’s salary.

Scherzer’s deal would also have a significantly higher AAV than Mike Trout’s. The slugger will make $37 million with the Los Angeles Angels next season.

Scherzer pitched at a Cy Young level last season and was said to be seeking a four-year deal. Considering he is 37, it would make sense if the Mets preferred to give him a higher salary over three years rather than adding an additional year onto the deal.

Though he had some issues with arm fatigue in the playoffs, Scherzer went 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA last season. He was 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Mets have already signed several other big-name free agents. They become a clear World Series contender if they add Scherzer to pair with deGrom at the top of their rotation.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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