Scherzer and Mets agree to deal; Seager signs with Rangers

NEW YORK — Max Scherzer has shattered baseball’s record for highest average salary, agreeing Monday to a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is subject to a successful physical.

The $43.33 million average salary is 20 percent higher than the previous mark, the $36 million Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole is averaging in his $324 million, nine-year contract with New York.

Scherzer would have the right to opt out after the 2023 season to become a free agent once again. Scherzer also receives a full no-trade provision, requiring his approval for any deals. The agreement also includes award bonuses.

Scherzer lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, about an hour’s drive from the Mets spring training complex in Port St. Lucie. He was planning to take a physical Monday that is needed for the deal to be completed.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, the 37-year-old right-hander was 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA last season for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, who acquired him on July 30. He struck out 236 and walked 36 in 179 1/3 innings, averaging 94.4 mph with his fastball in the final season of a $210 million, seven-year contract that included $105 million in deferred money payable from 2022-28.

The Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $325 million, 10-year deal with shortstop Corey Seager,

according to a person familiar with the deal.

Seager was the NL MVP in 2020 and a two-time All-Star in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .306 with 16 homers and 57 RBIs in 95 games this year, when he broke a finger on his right hand after getting hit by a pitch May 15 and missed 2 1/2 months.

The deal for Seager is the biggest in Rangers history, and matches Giancarlo Stanton for the fifth largest in overall value in baseball. The $325 million trails only the deals of Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Mookie Betts ($365 million), Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340 million) and Bryce Harper ($330 million).

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a contract with American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray,

according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

ESPN.com first reported the sides were finalizing an agreement, expected to be for $115 million over five years.

Ray is coming off the best season of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 193 1/3 innings. A left-handed power pitcher, Ray led the American League in ERA, games started, innings pitched and led all of baseball in strikeouts.

He immediately becomes the ace of the Seattle staff. Marco Gonzales, Chris Flexen and Logan Gilbert are also under contract for the 2022 season for an ascending Mariners team that went 90-72 last season and barely missed snapping the club’s 20-year playoff drought.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed veteran pitcher José Quintana to a one-year contract and avoided arbitration with outfielder Ben Gamel

by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal. Quintana split time between the Dodgers and Giants in 2021, going 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in 29 combined appearances, including 10 starts.

The well-traveled Gamel played well at times for the Pirates in 2021 after Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers from Cleveland in May.

MIAMI — Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings is coming to the Miami Marlins.

The Marlins acquired Stallings from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Zach Thompson and prospects Kyle Nicolas and Connor Scott.

Stallings, 31, is coming off the best season of his career. He earned his first Gold Glove for his handling of an inexperienced pitching staff that ranked among the worst in the major leagues while hitting .246 with career-highs in home runs (8) and RBIs (53) in 112 games.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves bolstered their World Series-winning bullpen by signing righthander Kirby Yates

to a two-year, $8.25 million deal. Yates led the majors with 41 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2019.

He didn’t pitch this past season for the Toronto Blue Jays because of undergoing his second Tommy John surgery of his career on March 24.

Yates will make $1 million next season, and his salary bumps to $6 million in 2023. The deal also includes a $5.75 million club option for 2024 that comes with a $1.25 million buyout.

OAKLAND — Utilityman Chad Pinder has reached agreement on a $2,725,000, one-year contract and infielder Tony Kemp is receiving a $2.25 million, one-year deal

as both players avoided salary arbitration with the Oakland Athletics, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said.

The 29-year-old Pinder batted .243 with six home runs and 27 RBIs over 75 games for the A’s last season, missing time early in the year with a sprained left knee. He earned $2,275,000 in 2021. He played right field, left field, shortstop, second base, third and served as designated hitter.

Kemp, 30, hit .279 with eight homers, 16 doubles, three triples and 37 RBIs playing 89 of his 131 games at second base.

SAN FRANCISCO — Right-hander Alex Cobb is close to finalizing an agreement with the San Francisco Giants,

a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Cobb still must pass a physical to complete the deal. A 34-year-old free agent, Cobb would give the reigning NL West champions a key veteran near the front of the rotation after the departure of All-Star righty Kevin Gausman to the Toronto Blue Jays on a $110 million, five-year contract.

Cobb went 8-3 with a 3.76 ERA over 18 starts and

93 1/3 innings for the Los Angeles Angels this year. He struck out 98 batters and walked 33.