NY Mets: Top 12 free agents the team should look to sign this winter

Sep 29, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) walk to the dugout before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) walk to the dugout before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch in the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

11) NY Mets free agent target Max Scherzer

I think there’s a less than zero percent chance Max Scherzer signs with the Mets this winter. The veteran future Hall of Famer isn’t going to be chasing money or even a championship. He’s going to play wherever he wants and I think that leaves only a small number of franchises.

Returning to the Washington Nationals is possible for comfort. Remaining with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts in 2021 also makes a ton of sense. What about the St. Louis Cardinals? Scherzer is a Missouri native.

I can’t exclude Scherzer from this list, though. He has been one of the game’s best pitchers for years. The pedigree he brings to any team he plays for is far greater than individual statistics. He is a professional and one of the good guys in the game we don’t hear enough about.

Imagine a 2022 Mets rotation featuring Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. I know it’s ridiculously stupid and only something you’d see in a video game. But drool over it for a moment, will you?

Scherzer might not be the 200+ inning workhorse he was only a few years ago. Nonetheless, his leadership is something the Mets clubhouse could use a little more of. If I thought there was a shot at him coming to Flushing, you better believe he’d be ranked higher.