Mets Monday Morning GM: Max Scherzer was still worth the investment

Like some sort of superhero from a faraway planet, Steve Cohen swooped in and signed Max Scherzer during the offseason for one purpose only: give the New York Mets the ultimate starting rotation weapon for the postseason. Does the “S” on the chest stand for Steve or for Scherzer?

In any case, Scherzer got his chance to perform in the franchise’s first postseason game since 2016. Things didn’t go so smoothly.

Scherzer’s failed postseason start was a major blow to the team and one of the big reasons why they only got to treat us to three games this year. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to question the decision to sign him in the first place.

The Mets still made the right investment in Max Scherzer

Hey, there’s always next season, right?

A mantra of far too many MLB seasons for the Mets, Scherzer is at least locked up for the 2023 campaign. A player option after could end his tenure with the ball club. We'll worry about that then.

Scherzer was excellent for the Mets this season. We saw the ace the team needed. It’s unfortunate that he had only one chance to pitch in the postseason. A part of the blame does fall on him and the rest of the team for losing three straight to the Atlanta Braves in the penultimate series of the season.

Nevertheless, the Mets bought Scherzer for more than 2022. He won’t be around forever. And there’s already a good shot he departs after next year either for free agency once again or even retirement.

There is second-guessing the decision to sign Scherzer. The Mets never let it hold them back from making other moves which is really factor that would have us wondering if they did the right thing.

They did.

The culture around the Mets was much different this year. We saw it regularly. A team doesn’t accidentally win 101 times.

We can have our doubts about Scherzer’s health and question for days whether or not the team had enough around him. What we can’t do is have any questions about the massive contract Steve Cohen greenlit. Scherzer was exactly what the 2022 Mets needed. The fact won’t change for 2023 either.