Mets’ 2022 World Series Odds Improve to +1200 (Same as Yankees) After Acquiring Scherzer

• The New York Mets have signed three-time Cy Young-winner Max Scherzer
• Their odds to win the 2022 World Series improved to +1200
• The Blue Jays, Rangers, and Mariners have all added All-Stars as well

Arguably the most-dominant pitcher of his generation, Max Scherzer is on the move. After a half-year stint with the LA Dodgers, the 37-year-old right-hander has signed a multi-year deal with the New York Mets.

While Scherzer is the biggest name to change teams so far this offseason, he’s not the only impact player, and the World Series odds have shifted accordingly.

2022 World Series Odds

Odds as of Nov. 29, 2021.

Scherzer + deGrom = World Series?

The New York Mets could be fielding the best pitching staff since the 1990s Atlanta Braves trotted out Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine. Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the sport today, and no statistician will argue otherwise.

At the beginning of last season, it looked like Scherzer might be on the decline. But after he was traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers at the deadline, he turned back the clock. Over Scherzer’s 11 starts in LA, he went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and an insane 11.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

DeGrom was on pace to break Bob Gibson’s modern-day ERA record (1.12) before he got hurt and failed to qualify. He finished the year with a 1.02 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in 92.0 innings. In other words, the two-time Cy Young-winner was pitching the best he’s ever pitched.

The rest of the Mets’ rotation is in a state of flux, but Taijuan Walker is still under contract and has shown flashes of brilliance. In the shortened 2020 campaign, he posted a 1.37 ERA in six starts with Toronto. The former 43rd-overall pick has the arm talent to be considerably better than he’s been so far in his career.

Tylor Megill had a respectable rookie season after injuries thrust him into a starting role (4.52 ERA, 1.28 ERA). There are high-hopes for him improving as a sophomore.

The real hope among Mets fans is that GM Billy Eppler isn’t done adding. There are big free agents still on the market, including reigning AL Cy Young-winner Robbie Ray, Clayton Kershaw, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zack Greinke, and the Mets’ own Marcus Stroman.

New York has also added to its lineup, signing Starling Marte and Eduardo Escobar. It’s clear the Metropolitans are all-in for 2022. Their World Series odds, which opened at +1800, have moved all the way to +1200. That’s tied for fourth-best, level with the Yankees.

Blue Jays Add Gausman, Keep Berrios, But Lose Semien

The Toronto Blue Jays made a splash a few days ago, signing Kevin Gausman away from San Francisco. He is coming off the best season of his eight-year career, recording a 2.81 ERA and 1.04 WHIP and finishing sixth in NL Cy Young voting.

Gausman’s career ERA is just over four, however, and there is no guarantee the Jays get the 2021 version next season.

With Robbie Ray’s destination still unclear, Toronto was quick to re-sign Jose Berrios. After coming over from Minnesota at the trade deadline, Berrios went 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 12 starts north of the border.

Toronto saw the Texas Rangers sign second baseman Marcus Semien, who mashed 45 home runs and 102 RBI. That’s a lot of production to replace. Toronto’s odds have held steady at +1250.

Mariners Making Moves

The Seattle Mariners surprised almost everybody in baseball by pushing for a playoff spot last year, a year in which their MLB win total opened at just 73.0 games.

Now Seattle has added All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier, indicating they are ready to start building for the present, not the future.

The Mariners have a couple key free agents themselves, though. Third baseman Kyle Seager and starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi chief among them.

Their win-loss record also vastly outperformed their run-differential last season. They finished 18 games over .500 (90-72) despite having a -51 run differential.

ESPN pegged their expected win-loss record at 75-87, so regression is extremely likely. The M’s World Series odds only improved modestly, from +3500 to +3250.