Could Justin Verlander of the New York Mets be moved ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline? One recent report from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com suggests that there’s a growing belief around the league that New York could trade the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
“According to two Major League executives, there is a belief within the industry that the Mets could very well move the three-time American League Cy Young winner and former AL Most Valuable Player in the coming days,” report on Verlander.
Feinsand goes on to note that the Texas Rangers are seen as the frontrunner to land Verlander should the disappointing Mets move him.
New York currently finds itself at 47-54 and 7.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the National League. Things certainly are not looking good on that front.
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Justin Verlander contract: Two-years, $86.67 million
As you can see, the 40-year-old Verlander is owed a lot moving forward this season and heading into the 2024 campaign after the reigning American League Cy Young winner signed with New York during the winter.
Verlander has been decent thus far this season (5-5 record, 3.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP). However, he has not pitched at anywhere near the level we saw with the Houston Astros in 2022 (18-4 record, 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP). Verlander’s salary coupled with his advanced age has led to questions about the future Hall of Famer’s value on the MLB trade market.
“They are twos and threes; they’re not ones anymore, for sure,” one unnamed executive said about both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. “But they are paid like ones, and that’s the problem.”
That’s one of the issues for New York. Owner Steve Cohen and Co. are unlikely to blow this thing completely up within the next few days. If the Mets don’t get a fair return for Verlander, it makes sense to hang on to him.
As for the Texas Rangers, they have been one of MLB’s biggest surprises this season. Texas currently sits at 60-43 and in first place in the American League West.
It makes sense that the team would be interested in starting pitching. Nathan Eovaldi headlines things for Bruce Bochy’s squad with an 11-3 record and 2.69 ERA. Dane Dunning has also pitched well (3.18 ERA, 1.17 WHIP). Outside of that, starting pitching could be seen as a weak link for Texas. Martin Perez is pitching to an elevated 4.91 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP while Andrew Heaney (4.62 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) has not done much better.
According to Feinsand, Texas was interested in Verlander during free agency this past winter. However, the team’s losing ways led to a lack of interest on his part. Perhaps, the Rangers’ surprising 2023 season can change the dynamics ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline.