Power ranking the Mets 2021-22 big offseason acquistions

1. Mets free agent signing Max Scherzer

The Mets signing future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer was so important because this was one of the things that signaled a seismic shift in baseball operations the franchise has undertaken under Steve Cohen.

The Mets brought in the best free agent of the offseason, and his attitude, demeanor, and thirst for winning was exactly the type of energy that the franchise desperately needed. This was the moment where everyone began to take the Mets seriously as a perennial contender and it is more proof that Cohen values winning much more than the money (maybe he could teach the Cincinnati Reds a lesson).

The Mets made Scherzer the highest paid player this season with a salary of over $43 million this season, and Mad Max has provided results immediately. Scherzer is 4-0 in five starts, with a 2.61 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.

Also, in the two starts he has made at Citi Field, there was a certain buzz and electricity going around the ballpark, particularly in his home debut, where a paid crowd of 27,490 sounded like 40,000 were in the stadium. That’s the type of excitement he brings as a three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Oh, and how about this moment earlier this week where he was ejected in a game he did not pitch for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout. That shows he is willing to stand up on behalf of his teammates.

And that’s what makes Mets fans feel like their team is championship caliber.