The Mets' trade of Max Scherzer to the Rangers continued the team’s decision to sell off key pieces 104 games into a disappointing season. Scherzer signed a two-year deal with an option before the 2022 season, and the expectation was that he would be a Met through 2024.
As New York tries to rebuild their farm system on the fly, current players are left to wonder about the state of the team. After the Mets 11-6 loss to Washington on Saturday, players addressed the importance of the Scherzer deal.
“If a guy with a no-trade clause can get traded, then anyone can,” Pete Alonso said. “It’s a strange feeling, for sure.”
Pete Alonso was asked if he wonders what comes next after Max Scherzer got traded:
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 30, 2023
"If a guy with a no-trade clause can get traded, then anyone can. It's a strange feeling, for sure." pic.twitter.com/EZiQ6swt7s
Alonso added that he will probably think about what this trade means for the team later, but in the moment he is in a state of confusion.
“There’s are implications and I'll think about it for sure but I’m just perplexed by the Max trade,” Alonso said, via Newsday’s Laura Albanese.
Centerfielder Brandon Nimmo, who signed an eight-year deal with the team in the offseason, also commented on the state of the team. When he was asked how much he believed in general manager Billy Eppler’s direction, Nimmo declined to give a definitive answer.
“We’ll have that conversation later,” he said, via Albanese.
However, although some players are confused, shortstop Francisco Lindor said that he spoke with the front office and remains confident in the organization.
“I’m still very optimistic,” Lindor said, via SNY. “I’m still in a spot where I believe in what we have. And I'm still super proud to be a New York Met.”
Scherzer is now the second respected veteran to get traded, joining David Robertson who was dealt on Thursday, and there are expected to be more trades ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday.
