Max Scherzer: The Comeback That Could Help the Mets’ Rotation

You might think it’s the baseball equivalent of inviting your ex to your wedding, but here we are: Max Scherzer, future Hall of Famer and 40 years old but still bringing the heat, is out there again, looking for a new home. And wouldn't you know it? The Mets, along with a few other contenders—Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, you name it—are eyeing the old ace like he’s the last piece of cheesecake at the family dinner. Sure, it’s a bit wild—signing a guy you already paid millions to pitch for another team over the last two years. But hey, as we've learned from both love and baseball, sometimes things aren’t as crazy as they seem—especially when Scherzer’s still throwing bullets in Florida and turning heads. Now, the fact that Scherzer is represented by agent Scott Boras, who at the moment isn’t exactly on Steve Cohen's list of favorite people, does add a layer of intrigue to the situation.(That could change if Pete Alonso signs a Met contract) It’s like trying to patch things up with someone who might’ve just been caught up in a messy breakup. Still, don’t be too quick to write this reunion off as just a nostalgia trip. Because, for the Mets, bringing Scherzer back could actually be a smart move—one that gives their rotation the boost it desperately needs. Up with the reasons why. Adding Max to the Mets would not be an awful idea: first off, he is looking for a one-year deal, secondly, he has had success working with Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, third, he was a tremendous influence on Mets pitchers when he was a member of the Mets. Most importantly, if the Mets indeed are moving to a six-man rotation, who would you rather be handing the ball to—Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, or Max Scherzer?

If Max Scherzer does end up back in Queens, it won’t just be a reunion—it'll be the return of a certified baseball legend. The guy’s résumé is longer than a rain delay at Citi Field. A three-time Cy Young winner, eight-time All-Star, and owner of not one but two no-hitters, Scherzer has done just about everything a pitcher can do short of throwing a fastball through a brick wall. Drafted by Arizona in 2006, he really hit his stride in Detroit, helping the Tigers dominate the AL Central before moving on to Washington, where he led the Nationals to their first-ever World Series title in 2019. Along the way, he’s racked up over 3,000 strikeouts, led the league in wins four times, and once even struck out 20 batters in a single game just for fun. In 2023, he added another ring to his collection with Texas, proving that even at 40, he’s still got some serious gas left in the tank. So, yeah—bringing him back might sound crazy, but when you look at what he’s done, maybe it’s just crazy enough to work.

When the Mets signed Max Scherzer in December 2021, they didn’t just break the bank—they set it on fire and scattered the ashes over Flushing Bay. His three-year, $130 million deal came with a record-setting $43.3 million annual salary, making him the most expensive arm in baseball history. The Mets were paying him like a king, and for a while, he pitched like one.

With his usual numbers, 37 and 31, already retired for Casey Stengel and Mike Piazza, Scherzer grabbed No. 21—because, honestly, the number didn’t matter as long as he was mowing down hitters. And for a while, he did just that.

Scherzer's first season in Queens was everything the Mets could have hoped for—at least until October. Despite missing time with an oblique injury (because when you’re 37, even sneezing can put you on the IL), he still went 11-5 with a sparkling 2.29 ERA, a ridiculous 0.908 WHIP, and 169 ERA+ over 145.1 innings. He was so dominant that even his FIP (2.62) nodded in approval, confirming that his excellence wasn’t just luck.

Fans will remember the milestones. His Citi Field debut? A 10-strikeout gem. By August, he was leapfrogging Pedro Martínez on the all-time strikeout list. And on September 19, he delivered a chef’s-kiss performance—six perfect innings, his 200th career win, and a Mets postseason berth all in one night.

Then came the playoffs.

Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Padres was supposed to be a coronation. Instead, it was a horror show. Scherzer got torched for seven runs, including four home runs, in 4.2 innings. Mets fans went from dreaming of a World Series parade to Googling “Can you return a pitcher for store credit?” faster than you can say “exit velocity.”

Year two wasn’t quite as dazzling. Scherzer was still good—just not $43 million-a-year good. Over 19 starts, he went 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.189 WHIP. He still struck guys out (10.1 K/9), but the long ball became his kryptonite. His home run rate jumped from 0.8 per nine innings to 1.9, meaning if you sat behind the outfield fence at Citi Field, you had a decent shot at catching a Scherzer souvenir.

With the Mets underachieving and Steve Cohen’s checkbook looking for an escape clause, the front office dealt Scherzer to the Rangers at the deadline, netting prospect Luisangel Acuña in return. Scherzer went on to win a World Series ring with Texas, which was great for him but felt like watching your ex hit the lottery right after dumping you.

Scherzer’s Mets tenure lasted 42 starts, producing a 20-9 record, a 3.02 ERA, and 294 strikeouts over 253 innings. He was brilliant in 2022, solid in 2023, and a nightmare in his one playoff start. In the end, the Mets paid $130 million for a year and a half of dominance, a playoff meltdown, and a Texas-sized "What if?"

Max Scherzer’s 2023 stint with the Texas Rangers was a mix of flashes of brilliance, physical setbacks, and a lot of perseverance. After being traded from the Mets to Texas in August, Scherzer had the goal of reinforcing a playoff-contending team and proving he could still perform at a high level, all while justifying his $43 million contract (with the Mets still picking up part of the tab). Scherzer's first five starts with Texas were promising. In his debut on August 3rd against the White Sox, he delivered 6 innings, striking out 9 batters and allowing 3 earned runs in a 5-3 win. He continued to impress in his next few outings, going 3-0 in his first four starts with a 2.04 ERA through 25 innings, including an 11-strikeout performance against the Angels in a dominant 12-0 victory on August 14. By September, Scherzer had solid outings but also showed some inconsistency, like his 3.0 innings and 7 earned runs in a 12-3 loss to Houston on September 6. Despite this, he managed to keep his ERA under control and continued to show flashes of his former self, including a 6-inning, 7-strikeout performance against Minnesota on September 1.

However, just when the Rangers seemed to be gearing up for the postseason, Scherzer’s 39-year-old arm let him down. A teres major strain ended his regular season early, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year. Scherzer pushed through the injury to return for the playoffs, though his postseason performance was a mixed bag. He made a brief return for the ALCS, giving up 5 earned runs in 4 innings in Game 3 against Houston, and allowing 2 earned runs in 2.2 innings in Game 7. Despite not being a key contributor in the postseason, Scherzer still earned a second World Series ring as the Rangers went on to claim the championship. His 2023 season was a testament to his grit and determination, but it was clear that age and injury were beginning to catch up with him.

In his 2024 season, Max showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency remained a challenge. Across 8 starts from June 23 to September 14, Scherzer managed a 2-4 record, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Over 41.1 innings, he gave up 18 earned runs, resulting in a solid 3.92 ERA—good, but not great. It’s the kind of ERA that says “I can handle my own,” but also “I’m one bad inning away from falling off the tracks.” What stands out is how often he limited damage, giving up just 1 or 2 earned runs in 5 of those starts, keeping his team in the game even when things didn’t go perfectly. His FIP, hovering around 3.50 for much of the stretch, suggests Max is doing his job by not letting bad luck or fielding errors completely derail his performances. But like any pitcher, his fate was often tied to his strikeout numbers, and while he flashed some of his vintage strikeout stuff—especially with a 9-strikeout performance on July 25—the games where he struggled often involved lower strikeout rates (3-4 K’s in a couple of the losses), which likely means he wasn’t missing enough bats or making hitters chase pitches out of the zone.

Max Scherzer's 2024 season after injury showed both promising signs and concerns. On the positive side, he demonstrated solid control with low walk rates, and his strikeout ability remained strong, including 9 strikeouts in 6 innings on July 25th. Scherzer posted impressive ERAs, such as a 0.00 ERA over five innings on June 23rd and a 3.09 ERA on July 9th, showcasing his ability to limit earned runs. He also showed good endurance, regularly pitching into the sixth inning and bouncing back after struggles, like on July 25th.

However, Scherzer had inconsistencies, with rough outings like on July 20th when he allowed 4 earned runs in just 2 innings. He also allowed more hits than usual in some starts, raising questions about his ability to limit hard contact. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was often higher than his ERA, suggesting reliance on defense, as seen on June 23rd with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.57 FIP. Scherzer’s outings sometimes ended early, notably a 2-inning appearance against the Orioles. While he flashed his old self at times, his inconsistency and occasional struggles with stronger offenses raised concerns about his post-injury form. Scherzer’s 2024 season was a mix of high-risk, high-reward performances, requiring teams to carefully assess whether Scherzer can maintain his strikeout ability and improve his consistency moving forward.

So, as the Mets and other teams look ahead to 2025, the question remains: Is Scherzer’s potential worth the gamble? With a one-year deal, a history of success, and a proven leadership role, bringing him back into the fold could just be the spark a rotation needs, especially if it means having a Hall of Famer back in the mix to mentor the next generation while offering a solid 5-6 punch at the back end of the rotation. In the end, the Mets may find that their old ace isn't such a crazy choice after all.