The New York Mets entered Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with a 43-50 record and slipping big time in the National League Playoff race with the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching.
It’s led to speculation that New York is open for business. Whether that’s to lower the team’s MLB-high payroll and build for 2024 remains to be seen.
What we do know is that offseason addition and three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander doesn’t want to go anywhere.
“Ownership is a big part. Their commitment to this franchise is apparent. Even now, Steve’s (Cohen) comments the other day. Obviously, we put ourselves in a really tough spot. But he still believes in us. He didn’t say that he wants to sell,” Verlander told Will Sammon of The Athletic.
“It seems like he’s also an optimist. A bit of a realist also. If we continue to put him in a position (to sell), we have to accept that. But there’s no reason to think it’s like, abandon ship and sell everything and not try to win going forward. That doesn’t seem like his MO. That’s a question for him. I remain committed to trying to win a championship here.”
Indeed, Steve Cohen has been committed to building a championship team in the Big Apple since officially taking over as owner back in October of 2020. New York currently boasts the largest payroll in baseball at $348 million, nearly $60 million more than the No. 2 team in the sport.
Verlander, 40, is a major part of that record payroll after inking a two-year, $86.7 million contract this past spring. He has not necessarily lived up to his end of the bargain. At the very least, in comparison to what we’ve seen from the future Hall of Famer throughout his career.
- Justin Verlander stats (2023): 3-5 record, 3.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
To put this into perspective, Verlander posted an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with the World Series champion Houston Astros last season en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award.
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Cohen’s commitment to winning will likely preclude the trade of Verlander as well as fellow future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer. There’s also very little reason to believe star first baseman Pete Alonso or shortstop Franciso Lindor will be on the move.
With that said, we can easily envision the Mets changing things up by moving lesser-known players.
Outfielders Tommy Pham, Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte and Mark Canha come to mind. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the likes of starters Carlos Carrasco and David Peterson are moved. Though, both are struggling big time this season and might not draw much interest ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Either way, any roster shake up for the New York Mets ahead of Aug. 1 is unlikely to include one of their multiple ace pitchers.