here’s the truly crazy part: The Mets actually are saving money in the Scherzer trade.
Scherzer is owed nearly $15 million for the rest of the season. The Rangers, according to sources briefed on the deal’s financial breakdown, are covering about $6 million of that amount. Next season, Scherzer is owed $43.33 million, and the Rangers will pay roughly $16.5 million of that.
Using those approximate numbers, the Mets will save about $9 million in salary and $8 million in luxury tax this season as they pay a 90 percent penalty for every dollar they spend over the highest threshold. Next season, with the roughly $16.5 million savings in Scherzer’s salary and the highest penalty rate rising to 110 percent, they would avoid more than $18 million in tax.
This all assumes the Mets again will be over the highest threshold, but with Cohen that’s a good assumption
