Max Scherzer was tagged for seven runs in three innings of work against the Astros on Wednesday night, in a game that the slumping Rangers badly needed in their fight to stay in a playoff spot.
It was easily Scherzer’s worst start since the Mets dealt him to Texas, and Sal has a new nickname for the future Hall of Famer that has slumped in big spots since signing with New York before last season.
“Minimum Scherzer.”
“He went out there and got lit up again in a big game. Surprise, surprise,” Sal said. “The Mets needed to find a sucker to take on Max Scherzer. Billy Eppler should be taking bows. Forget about Stearns, Billy Eppler should become president. Nobody can pull off a trade like that, finding a sucker team like the Rangers to take on Minimum Scherzer, half that contract, and a prospect in return.”
BT countered that Eppler still deserves criticism for signing Scherzer in the first place, but Sal noted Scherzer’s great start to his Mets tenure, and how Eppler can’t be faulted for Scherzer coming apart in big spots, which he continued to do on Wednesday against former Mets teammate Justin Verlander.
“I think it was the right move,” Sal said. “I loved the move at the time. Obviously it didn’t work out, but the fact that you can get something for him, even with paying some of the money…they got rid of a pitcher who was worthless.”