NY Mets finalizing record deal with Scherzer -reports

The New York Mets on Monday were finalizing a record-setting deal with eight-time All Star pitcher Max Scherzer.

Scherzer’s three-year contract is reported to be worth $130 million, putting his average annual salary at over $43 million – the highest in Major League Baseball history.

Scherzer’s deal ends rampant speculation over where the highly sought-after 37-year-old would land, with numerous MLB franchises rumored to have courted the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

The right-handed ace picked up a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and has pitched two no-hitters in his career.

He's hoping for similar success with the Mets, who started on a high last season but suffered a meltdown with a losing record in the second half, frustrating fans who had hoped for a fresh start with new owner, billionaire Steve Cohen, taking over a year ago.

Cohen, a hedge fund manager, went on a shopping spree late last week, signing three other free agents - including two-time Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder Starling Marte.

But Scherzer is the feather in his cap – providing a one-two punch at the top of the pitching rotation with fellow ace Jacob de Grom that Mets fans hope will propel the team to its first World Series title since 1986.

The Mets did not immediately respond to a request for comment but posted "#LGM" to their Twitter account, an acronym that stands for "Let's Go Mets."