With just hours to go until the MLB trade deadline expires, it seems like the New York Mets could make another blockbuster move.
Justin Verlander, the nine-time All-Star pitcher, has entered the rumor mill chat following the exit of Max Scherzer from the Mets on Saturday.
The Mets are officially in a “transition period”
According to a report from Jon Hayman of the NY Post, the team is willing to also part with the star right-hander even though he is still in his first year of a two-year $86 million dollar contract with the Mets that also includes a conditional $35 million option for 2025.
It is also important to note that the contract includes a “no-trade clause”, meaning that Verlander must give his “Ok” to a trade before anything can happen.
Earlier this week the team made headlines when they decided to ship David Robertson to the Miami Marlins and most notably on Saturday, Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers.
The move, according to analysts, signals that the team is changing strategies and is starting to move on from a high payroll and instead is looking to build up their farm system.
For Verlander, who is now 40 years old and in his 18th season in the majors, he may want to seek greener pastures elsewhere where he can find success as his career dwindles down.
Verlander’s performance so far in 2023
J.V., who will start for the Mets on Sunday against the Washington Nationals, is three games away from 500 regular season games in his career.
In 2023, the former AL MVP started the first month of the season in the IL. In total, he has played in 15 games and has 5 wins and 5 losses to his name with an ERA of 3.24.
Verlander has done considerably better since late June. In his last six starts, the pitcher is 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA, with an average of six innings per outing.
As for the Mets, they currently trail the Cincinnati Reds by 7 games in the Wild Card race and have an overall record of 49-55 as of Sunday morning.
The Atlanta Braves lead the division with a 66-36 record and are 18 games ahead of New York.
The MLB’strade deadline is set to expire August 1.
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