Scherzer: Mets told me they plan to take step back in 2024

Scherzer: Mets told me they plan to take step back in 2024

Max Scherzer agreed to waive his no-trade clause to be dealt to the Texas Rangers after New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler told him the club was planning to take a step back next season.

The three-time Cy Young winner said last Friday that he needed to speak with the Mets’ front office about his future and the direction of the team after it moved closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins.

“I was like, ‘OK, are we reloading for 2024?’” Scherzer said, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “(Eppler) goes, ‘No, we’re not. Basically, our vision now is for 2025-26, ’25 at the earliest, more like ’26. We’re going to be making trades around that.’

“I was like, ‘So, the team is not going to be pursuing free agents this offseason or assemble a team that can compete for a World Series next year?’ He said, ‘No, we’re not going to be signing the upper-echelon guys. We’re going to be on the smaller deals within free agency. ’24 is now looking to be more of a kind of transitory year.’”

Scherzer added that Eppler told him the Mets were open to trading away players who were going to enter free agency after the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Nine-time All-Star Justin Verlander, who was reportedly dealt back to the Houston Astros on Tuesday, and star first baseman Pete Alonso are noteworthy players in that category.

Alonso said he hasn’t talked to the front office about the possibility of being traded, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Eppler was a little less direct about the team’s intentions when talking to the media following the Scherzer deal.

“I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild,” Eppler said. “It’s not a fire sale. It’s not a liquidation. This is just a repurposing of Steve’s investment in the club and shifting that investment from the team into the organization.”

The Mets enter Tuesday’s action 17.5 games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and six out of the final wild-card spot. New York had World Series aspirations heading into the 2023 campaign after putting together the most lucrative roster in MLB history.

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

Kristen Bell — Good Genes or Good Docs?!
Kristen Bell — Good Genes or Good Docs?!
Dave Grohl Smokes Cigarette at Store After Baby Mama’s Identity Comes Out
Dave Grohl Smokes Cigarette at Store After Baby Mama’s Identity Comes Out
Justin Bieber Snaps at ‘Disrespectful’ Paparazzi After Breakfast With Hailey
Justin Bieber Snaps at ‘Disrespectful’ Paparazzi After Breakfast With Hailey
Tate McRae’s Seductive Dances for ‘So Close To What’ Album Drop
Tate McRae’s Seductive Dances for ‘So Close To What’ Album Drop
Oz Perkins Isn’t a Big Horror Fan, Doesn’t Like ‘Terrifier’
Oz Perkins Isn’t a Big Horror Fan, Doesn’t Like ‘Terrifier’
Ebertfest Adds Barbara Kopple’s Academy Award Winner “Harlan County U.S.A.” | Ebertfest
Ebertfest Adds Barbara Kopple’s Academy Award Winner “Harlan County U.S.A.” | Ebertfest
The Hollywood Reporter’s Controversial Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Parody Cover Slammed
The Hollywood Reporter’s Controversial Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Parody Cover Slammed
Matt Gaetz Responds to ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson’s Comments
Matt Gaetz Responds to ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson’s Comments
Stray Cats’ Brian Setzer reveals autoimmune disease has left him unable to play guitar
Stray Cats’ Brian Setzer reveals autoimmune disease has left him unable to play guitar
Megan Thee Stallion, Future and Tyla to feature on debut album by BLACKPINK’s Lisa
Megan Thee Stallion, Future and Tyla to feature on debut album by BLACKPINK’s Lisa
KISS collaborator Karl Cochran dies in car accident, aged 61
KISS collaborator Karl Cochran dies in car accident, aged 61
Bloc Party to release classic ‘Little Thoughts’ EP on vinyl for the first time for Record Store Day 2025
Bloc Party to release classic ‘Little Thoughts’ EP on vinyl for the first time for Record Store Day 2025
Yankees amend facial hair policy to allow well-groomed beards
Yankees amend facial hair policy to allow well-groomed beards
Winning Secrets: Top Online Sports Betting Tips Every Malaysian Needs!
Winning Secrets: Top Online Sports Betting Tips Every Malaysian Needs!
McDavid’s OT winner leads Canada past U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off
McDavid’s OT winner leads Canada past U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off
LeBron scores 40 points to lead Lakers past Trail Blazers
LeBron scores 40 points to lead Lakers past Trail Blazers
‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson Hated Filming This Season 3 Scene
‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson Hated Filming This Season 3 Scene
Mad About the Boy’ Should’ve Been Released in Theaters
Mad About the Boy’ Should’ve Been Released in Theaters
The Way Home Season 3 Episode 8 Confirms Our Suspicions About Colton and Reveals Another Life Saved by Time Travel
The Way Home Season 3 Episode 8 Confirms Our Suspicions About Colton and Reveals Another Life Saved by Time Travel
Batman Is Relaunching With a New Issue #1 – And a Totally New Costume
Batman Is Relaunching With a New Issue #1 – And a Totally New Costume
Akilah Releford Gould Is Leading With Entrepreneurial Girl Power
Akilah Releford Gould Is Leading With Entrepreneurial Girl Power
Meghan Markle’s Brand Revamp, Paris Hilton’s Closet Sale!
Meghan Markle’s Brand Revamp, Paris Hilton’s Closet Sale!
Gianvito Rossi Black Mamba 85 Sandals
Gianvito Rossi Black Mamba 85 Sandals
A$AP Rocky’s Ray-Ban Gig, Bad news for Project Runway Fans
A$AP Rocky’s Ray-Ban Gig, Bad news for Project Runway Fans