The New York Mets made a huge financial commitment to pitcher Max Scherzer before the lockout.
They signed him to a three-year, $130 million contract with an opt-out clause after the second season.
That’s a record-breaking $43.3 million AAV (average annual value).
It’s a shocking number for a 37-year-old pitcher, but if someone is worth that much, it’s Scherzer.
The man has won three Cy Young awards, pitched two no-hitters, and remains a star at his advanced age.
In 2021, between the Washington Nationals and the Mets, he had a 2.46 ERA in 179.1 innings.
But even after adding Scherzer (and pairing him with ace Jacob deGrom, no less), the Mets need another top pitcher.
They don’t need another ace; they just need a hurler capable of finishing with an ERA in the mid-3.00s who offers some reliability and consistency in the middle of the rotation.
Kershaw Is A Legitimate Upgrade Even At 33
There are a couple of interesting pitchers left in free agency for the Mets: Carlos Rodon and Clayton Kershaw.
The former was a legitimate Cy Young candidate who could have won if it weren’t for injuries, but he had (by far) his best season in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox and doesn’t have much of a track record.
If the Mets want present value, track record, and postseason experience, then Kershaw is the man they should pursue.
It would likely take a bunch of dollars to lure him out of the Dodgers, where he has played for his entire career.
He is a hero in Los Angeles.
However, money is not an issue for the Mets: Steve Cohen is the wealthiest owner in MLB, and if the organization really wants Kershaw, they have the means to lure him.
He played with Scherzer last season and perhaps the latter could help convince him.
Kershaw isn’t without some injury risk, like Rodon: he missed most of the second half with a flexor tendon issue in his left (pitching) elbow.
He is expected to be ready by spring training, but he is starting to get older (33 years old at the moment) and is a somewhat risky signing.
However, the Mets should be willing to absorb that risk.
A Historic Rotation
In 121.2 innings of work last season, Kershaw was rock-solid, even if he wasn’t the monster of his 2010s days: 3.55 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 144/21 K/BB ratio.
He has pitched more than his fair share of postseason innings and has been solid, despite the public perception on him.
Kershaw also has three National League Cy Young awards and a National League MVP award under his belt.
If the Mets can somehow pull this off, they would have a whopping eight Cy Young awards at the top of their rotation, between deGrom, Scherzer, and Kershaw.
Clayton Kershaw would give the Mets a combined 8 Cy Young Awards in their rotation.
If he was interested in leaving the Dodgers, should the Mets give him a look? 💭 pic.twitter.com/fAslTInpuD
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 24, 2022
After the two aces, the Mets currently have an old and injury-prone Carlos Carrasco, and the inexperienced Tylor Megill and David Peterson.
Taijuan Walker is a solid mid-rotation arm, but he carries some injury risks of his own.
After losing Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman to free agency, and Joey Lucchesi to Tommy John surgery, the Mets need a starter or two.
Obviously we'll know more about the future in the coming days but Kershaw pitched this season like he had multiple good, productive years left in the tank.
— Daniel Brim (@DanielBrim) October 2, 2021
If they get Kershaw, they may very well have the most impressive roster in the National League.
NEXT: Max Scherzer Vs. Jacob deGrom (Who Is More Important To The Mets?)
