The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly interested in acquiring Justin Verlander as the New York Mets’ fire sale continues in earnest.
But the veteran ace reportedly would prefer a return to the Houston Astros.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, “Talks are fluid, and subject to change. But multiple sources briefed on the discussions told The Athletic on Monday that the Astros remain involved in the Verlander talks. Some believe a return to Houston is the future Hall of Famer’s preferred outcome, citing, in part, his relationship with [Astros owner Jim Crane].”
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
Talks with the #Astros have accelerated the last 24 hours, and the #Mets have made it clear they’re willing to move him. Verlander has a full no-trade clause, just as Max Scherzer did. Who knew a week ago they could be pitching in the same state as AL West rivals? https://t.co/2ZV6pDw1h9
The Mets would probably prefer the Dodgers as a trade partner. Heading into the 2023 season, MLB.com ranked Los Angeles’ farm system No. 2 in all of baseball, behind only the Baltimore Orioles. The Astros, meanwhile, ranked 27th.
But like Max Scherzer, Verlander has a full no-trade clause, which means he can dictate where he goes. The Mets could choose to keep him, of course, but if the goal is a short-term reset that alleviates payroll going forward and restocks some talent in the farm system, acquiescing to Verlander’s preferred destination is New York’s only course of action.
Granted, it’s possible the talks could broaden beyond the Dodgers and Astros, depending on Verlander’s preferences:
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
The Orioles are one team to watch on Justin Verlander.
Baltimore has the prospects to be involved in any trade. @MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
However, this plays out, the Mets should get a nice package in return. Even at 40, he’s still gone 6-5 in 16 starts this season with a 3.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 94.1 innings.
It hasn’t been anywhere close to his Cy Young-winning output from last season, when he finished 18-4 with an absurd 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 185 strikeouts en route to a World Series title. That version of Verlander didn’t make its way to the Big Apple, just as Scherzer wasn’t the dominant ace the Mets thought they were signing.
And that, in part, is why the Mets are having this fire sale in the first place, having already traded Scherzer, closer David Robertson and first baseman and outfielder Mark Canha.
But for an Astros team battling with the Texas Rangers in the AL West and for a Wild Card spot in the loaded American League, getting back Verlander would be a major boost, and certainly worth a significant cost, either in the form of prospects or the Astros eating a bigger portion of Verlander’s salary than the Rangers did with Scherzer.
One way or another, Verlander seems unlikely to be with the Mets by the end of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. Whether he’s in SoCal, southeastern Texas or some unexpected mystery destination is all that’s left to be determined.
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