GM Billy Eppler - Mets not holding 'fire sale' despite trades - ESPN

NEW YORK — After trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, general manager Billy Eppler insisted the New York Mets are not tearing down their underachieving team.

«I do want to be clear that it's not a rebuild. It's not a fire sale,» Eppler said Sunday at Citi Field. «It's not a liquidation.»

So maybe Justin Verlander will stay put in the end.

New York traded Scherzer to AL West-leading Texas for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuna in a high-profile deal both teams announced Sunday after news of the agreement broke Saturday evening.

Acuna, the younger brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuna Jr., was rated one of Texas' top prospects. The Mets said he will be optioned to Double-A Binghamton, where he will initially play shortstop.

Scherzer waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal, and the Mets will send cash to Texas. The three-time Cy Young Award winner also agreed to opt in on the final year of his contract in 2024 at $43.3 million, and the Mets are paying about $35 million of the remaining $58 million on the right-hander's contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Eppler said he was engaged in conversation with different teams about Scherzer and that when he talked with him Friday, he mentioned a trade was possible. After pitching Friday night, Scherzer said he wanted to speak with the front office about the direction of the team.

Following an 11-6 loss to Washington on Saturday night, Mets players wondered who might be dealt next.

Eppler said he texted center fielder Brandon Nimmo after talking to Texas and Scherzer's agent, Scott Boras, and then met with the outfielder for about 35 minutes Sunday. The Mets re-signed Nimmo to a $162 million, eight-year contract last offseason.

Eppler also spoke to star