Max Scherzer hasn’t been anything close to Mad Max for the New York Mets this season and, amid the team’s struggles, a trade could be possible.
Despite being the highest-paid player in MLB — alongside fellow disappointing New York Mets teammate, Justin Verlander — Max Scherzer has an ugly 4.45 ERA. On Tuesday, he was run off the mound by the crosstown Yankees after just 3.1 innings, allowing six runs on only 76 pitches.
Now, the club has lost nine of their last 10 games and have fallen to fourth in the NL East standings. With the Mets’ season falling apart, could they end up looking to trade Scherzer as he has only a player option for 2024 remaining after this year on his contract?
And if so, where might they end up trading him? Let’s take a look at three ideal destinations for the soon-to-be 39-year-old.
MLB Rumors: 3 Max Scherzer trade destinations if Mets decide to sell
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are always willing to take on high-priced talent, and Max Scherzer already did a fantastic job in Los Angeles back in 2021.
During a brief stint in LA, Scherzer was nearly untouchable, sporting a 7-0 record with a 1.98 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. One could easily argue it was the best stretch of pitching in Scherzer’s storied MLB career.
With that in mind, the Dodgers are dealing with some serious pitching issues on their end. Noah Syndergaard is second on the team in innings with 55.1, while producing a disastrous 7.16 ERA. He is now on the 15-day IL as well.
Julio Urias, a serious Cy Young contender last season, is also on the 15-day IL. He has regressed mightily, all the way up to a shaky 4.39 ERA. Flamethrower Dustin May is also on the 60-day IL for the Dodgers.
They need a steady veteran presence in their rotation, and Scherzer could easily be the man for that job. Scherzer back to the Dodgers seems like a no-brainer.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Like their LA neighbors, the Angels are also willing to spend on high-priced talent.
Playing great ball of late behind their electric leader, Shohei Ohtani, the Angels could be on the market for additional, needle-moving talent.
Scherzer would be a great fit because free agent acquisition Tyler Anderson has been a huge bust, while Reid Detmers has been regressing in a major way.
“Mad Max” could potentially be the one to steady the Angels’ wobbly ship and, perhaps, improve their chances of retaining Ohtani as he’s scheduled to become a free agent this offseason.
1. San Diego Padres
These new-look Padres are always lookin’ to spend, spend, spend right?
This trade deadline should be no different, as the Padres do not want to give up on a once-promising 2023 campaign.
Seth Lugo is currently on the 15-day IL, and the Padres could potentially convert him back to an effective reliever after the potential acquisition of Scherzer.
Scherzer could be a difference-maker for San Diego if Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish continue to perform below their norms.
John Frascella is a published baseball author who has been covering MLB for 19 years. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things Mets, MLB, NFL and NBA throughout the year.