'We can do some great things together': Max Scherzer on joining Jacob deGrom and NY Mets

NEW YORK – During the initial courtship of free agent Max Scherzer, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said something that stuck with the three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher.

“It’s whatever it takes to win here,’’ Cohen said in their get-to-know-you Zoom call.

“You don’t hear that from owners too often these days,’’ said Scherzer, adding that it “piqued my interest’’ in joining the Mets.

On Wednesday, Scherzer officially signed on at Citi Field, with a three-year, $130 million contract that – at age 37 – establishes an MLB record for annual average salary.

Scherzer, who has won one world championship, with the 2019 Washington Nationals, said he was thrilled to join Jacob deGrom atop the win-now Mets’ rotation.

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The two aces spoke by phone before the signing, a call Scherzer initiated to “get a sense of what New York is like,’’ and what deGrom thought about Scherzer potentially coming aboard.

Since 2018, Scherzer's 36 MLB starts of seven or more innings and two earned runs or fewer ranks second only to deGrom's 42.

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“We can do some great things together,’’ said Scherzer, who also mentioned having a hand in improving the clubhouse culture.

“It only takes a few guys to change it,’’ said Scherzer, noted for his preparation and intense focus on winning, as well as his Hall of Fame credentials as a performer.

“He’s a Hall of Famer who knows how to win,’’ Cohen said. “And that’s a great quality to add to the clubhouse, too.''

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East Coast, West Coast

Scherzer offered that any perceived West Coast preference was essentially a non-factor.

He resides in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife and three young children and referenced the comfort of essentially being home for spring training, near the Mets’ Port St. Lucie site, and not uprooting his family. 

Last summer, “the Nats did not want to trade me within the division,’’ said Scherzer, adding that “all 30 teams were back in play’’ this offseason.

“I was waiting to see what teams were interested in signing me,’’ said Scherzer, adding that he’s always enjoyed the “blue collar approach’’ to the crowds at Citi Field.

“It’s been fun to come in here and having everybody going nuts against you,’’ Scherzer said. “They really let you have it. (It’s) nice to flip the script.''

On his October arm fatigue 

Physically, Scherzer said he is “in a normal offseason program’’ and ready to begin training in earnest for the 2022 season.

Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled Game 6 NL Championship Series start with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the eventual world champion Atlanta Braves due to arm fatigue.

Having closed out the Dodgers’ NL Division Series clincher against the San Francisco Giants in relief, in Game 5, Scherzer started NLCS Game 2 but his arm was “overcooked’’ leading up to Game 6.

“I went past my work capacity, what I was built up for,’’ said Scherzer, adding that it was “the first time where I really thought I could do something and it didn’t show up.’’

Scherzer had anticipated being able to repeat his 2019 postseason workload with Washington, where he also was employed as a reliever during the NLDS, but found he was not built-up enough with the Dodgers following his July 30 trade from Washington.

Still, Scherzer said he’s fine from a long-term standpoint, with no structural damage.

More to come 

New Mets’ general manager Billy Eppler said the club was out to make an impact with offseason acquisitions and “Max was at the top of our list.’’

Having also agreed to free agent deals with All-Star center fielder Starling Marte, corner outfielder Mark Canha and infielder Eduardo Escobar, the Mets are not a finished product.

Eppler is seeking another starter and a reliever or two and is remaining “opportunistic on the position player front.’’

Still, a lockout "seems like a very likely scenario,'' said Scherzer, who was in Dallas as part of the union's negotiating team with ownership, facing expiration of the current CBA at midnight. 

But Cohen’s free spending lately in Queens has changed a narrative of a club that went through a chaotic GM search and is still seeking a manager (interviews will begin shortly, Eppler said) after their contending 2021 team rapidly became a non-factor. 

Scherzer’s record $43.33 million annual average – blasting past Gerrit Cole’s previous high $36 million, also via agent Scott Boras – was in part, “a little more for brand building,’’ Cohen said of improving the Mets’ look within the industry.

And with the fans.

“I’ve made a commitment to them, and I want to deliver on that,’’ Cohen said. “That’s what I’m concerned about.’’

Going the distance

Based on how he feels, Scherzer “absolutely’’ believes he can pitch at an ace level “for another three years, that was very important.’’

And he might not have signed his last contract.

Scherzer will be 40 when his Mets deal expires, but “my mindset is, I’m going to play as long as I can.’’

Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera