Max Scherzer says Mets told him 2024 would be 'transition' year

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Max Scherzer never anticipated being traded from the New York Mets, and said the sentiment in their clubhouse was that the underachieving team that had expected to contend for a World Series title this year would reload for 2024.

Scherzer instead found out the Mets were shifting their focus past that date -- until after his contract expires. The three-time Cy Young Award winner waived his no-trade clause to be dealt to the Texas Rangers after conversations with New York general manager Billy Eppler and owner Steve Cohen about the team's plans following his final start for the Mets.

"[Eppler's] answer was that the team is now kind of shifting vision and that they're looking…