The New York Mets are doing whatever it takes to put together a championship team. After signing star pitcher Max Scherzer and three quality position players in free agency, the Big Apple’s National League team might be the city’s best hope for a title.

Only a handful of teams have better 2022 World Series betting odds than the Mets. DraftKings Sportsbook gives the Mets 13/1 odds to win the championship, up from 18/1 when the 2021 MLB season came to an end. The Mets are among the favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook with 11/1 World Series odds, putting them behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (6/1) and Houston Astros (17/2).

That means the Mets have better odds than the defending champion Atlanta Braves (14/1), as well as the cross-town rival New York Yankees (12/1). While the Yankees have remained quiet in free agency, Mets owner Steve Cohen is spending money the way George Steinbrenner once did.

Scherzer agreed to join the Mets in large part because he was given the highest average yearly salary in MLB history. The three-time Cy Young winner reportedly agreed to a three-year, $130 million contract. Scherzer’s $43.3 million average annual value dwarfs that of Gerrit Cole, who makes $36 million a season for his nine-year mega-deal with the Yankees.

Scherzer is 37 years old, but he remains at the top of his game. His 2.46 ERA in 2021 was the best of his entire career for a full season. The veteran was dominant after being traded to the Dodgers, posting a 1.78 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 68.1 innings.

A case can be made that the Mets now have the two best pitchers in all of baseball. The team’s rotation is led by Jacob deGrom, who had a historic 1.08 ERA and a 0.55 WHIP in 92 innings before an injury cut his 2021 campaign short.

After Scherzer won the NL Cy Young award in 2016 and 2017, deGrom won the award in 2018 and 2019. DeGrom was the third-place finisher in 2020. Scherzer was third in the 2021 race.

If Scherzer and deGrom are healthy, the Mets could have the edge over any opponent in a short playoff series.

Of course, Scherzer can’t single-handedly turn the Mets around. New York finished far out of the 2021 playoff race with a 77-85 record. The Mets last made the postseason in 2016. They haven’t won a playoff game since reaching the 2015 World Series.

The Mets added Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar to their lineup in free agency. The three hitters combined for 57 home runs and 60 stolen bases last season with OPS ranging from .746 to .841.

Marcus Stroman, Javy Baez and Michael Conforto all remain free agents after finishing last season with the Mets.

Pete Alonso Robinson Cano Mets
Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets is congratulated by his teammate Robinson Cano #24 after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images
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