In Star Wars: Episode Three-Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan turns to his old friend and now enemy Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and lets out the infamous line. “You were supposed to destroy the Sith, not join them”.
That exact feeling that Obi-Wan experienced is going through the minds of every Nationals fan and for good reason. Hearing that Nationals’ legend Max Scherzer had signed with the Mets on a three-year deal worth $130 million has left the fanbase with a flurry of emotions.
Sadness. Anger. Disappointment. Pain. Betrayal. Seeing the greatest pitcher in franchise history sign with a division rival will do that to a person. Scherzer arrived in D.C. before the start of the 2015 season on a seven-year mega-deal worth $210 million.
Mad Max took an NL contender that had continued to stumble in the playoffs window and turned them into one of the most successful franchises of the 2010s. From 2015-2019, Scherzer and the Nats won 450 games, which was seventh most in baseball and third-most among NL teams.
With Scherzer leading the way, the Nationals reached the playoffs three times, won two division titles, and a World Series championship. The righty also racked up the personal accolades, being named to six All-Star teams, and winning two NL Cy Youngs. led theIn addition he led the NL in strikeouts three times, the NL in wins twice, was named to the All-MLB First Team twice, threw two no-hitters, and tied the MLB record for strikeouts in a game (20).
Over his seven seasons in D.C., he went 92-47, with a 2.80 ERA, 1,610 strikeouts, and a 2.92 FIP. He left as the franchise leader in ERA, complete games, and shutouts.
People need to remember baseball is a business and Scherzer is going to do what is best for him and his family. At the age of 37, it is almost impossible to turn down a three-year deal worth $130 million, which comes out to $43 million a year. One wrong injury can end his career and Scherzer helped not only himself, but his fellow players. For the second time in his career, he reset the starting pitching market.
This is the second time Scherzer has moved the AAV pitching bar up. He did so from $24M to $30M when he signed with the Nats, and now from $36M to $43.3M. He Is also the total $ leader for a pitcher. He is guaranteed to make $380M in his career now. Strasberg $365 and Cole $361M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021
There were a lot of questions whether Max Scherzer, an influential member of the MLBPA on its executive sub-committee, would sign before the potential lockout. That he did speaks to the magnitude of his Mets deal, which @martinonyc was all over The $43.3M a year is just stunning.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
For Steve Cohen and the New York Mets, this is a massive get. Over the last few years, the Mets have been drowning in controversies, from hiring Jared Porter to Mickey Calloway, to Zack Scott. Calloway and Porter were involved in separate sexual harassment cases, while Scott was fired for a DUI.
Landing Scherzer allows for the Mets to have a unique presence in the locker room that will hold players accountable and will help vastly change the team’s image. That’s not to say Nationals fans don’t have the right to be upset. Seeing Scherzer lace up his spikes for the Mets and stand next to Jacob deGrom in the dugout will be disheartening.
During his seven years in D.C., the fanbase had become accustomed to his loud grunts as he emptied the tank each night and put his body on the line. Broken nose? No problem. Neck injury during the World Series? Nothing a cortisone shot and a few days of rest couldn’t fix.
Now, he will be across the diamond in the blue and orange 19 times a year and will probably make 4-6 starts (per year) against Washington. Knowing he will be standing against them instead of being the pillar holding them up marks the end of an era.