The Mets traded starting pitcher Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers on Saturday, shipping roughly $35 million of Scherzer’s salary through the end of 2024, while the Rangers will pay $22.5 million.
In the deal, the Mets acquired infielder Luisangel Acuña in the deal.
Who is he? Here’s what the Dallas Morning News says:
The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., he signed with the Rangers in 2018 for $425,000 out of Venezuela. He had reportedly agreed to a deal with Atlanta to follow his brother, but it was washed away following sanctions against the Braves for violations in the process in Latin America. Acuña began last season as our No. 10 prospect, but has inched his way up.
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As a 20-year-old last year, Acuña dominated the advanced Class A South Atlantic League with a .317 average and .900 OPS to earn a second-half promotion to Double-A Frisco. He also played in the Arizona Fall League last year. He’s an aggressive hitter with the ability create impact, but he’s going to have to start getting the ball in the air more often. According to Baseball America, he hit the ball on the ground more than 50 percent of the time last year. That led to some extra base hits because of his speed, but only 29 total extra base hits. The Rangers feel there is more impact there. He doesn’t swing and miss a ton, just doesn’t make great contact as often as he can.
There is some question about where he will ultimately play. Will he be able to remain at shortstop? Perhaps second base or center field (like his brother) is more realistic. While he’s started 76 games at second, he’s never gone to the outfield, so that’s an unknown. He’s certainly got the speed to go out there. He’s stolen 84 bases over the last two seasons.
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