Mets ‘trades Justin Verlander back to Astros’ as three-time Cy Young winner returns to Houston, where he won World Series titles in 2017 and 2022
- Verlander had been the subject of trade rumors ever since Max Scherzer was shared
- Cy Young’s three-time winner has won two World Series crows with Houston
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The Houston Astros reportedly acquire Justin Verlander from the New York Mets for a pair of minor league outfielders.
ESPN and several other outlets notified the deal ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. The nine-time All-Star had the right to veto any move given his no-trade clause, but was apparently happy to return to the Astros, who are second in the AL West with 60-47.
Verlander has been signed for next season with a possible 2025 option after agreeing to a two-year, $86.7 million contract with the Mets in December.
He has been solid in 2023, despite some early season injuries. The right-back posted a 3.15 ERA while allowing only 1.14 baserunners per inning in 16 appearances for the Mets. And Verlander was nearly unhittable in his last six starts, posting a 1.69 ERA while holding opponents to a .167 average over 37 1/3 innings.
Last season, en route to his third Cy Young and second World Series title, Verlander posted a remarkable 1.75 ERA with a minuscule 0.83 WHIP (walks and hits per inning) before winning Game 5 of the World Series over Philadelphia.
Justin Verlander, 40, has been solid in 2023 despite some early season injuries
In exchange for Verlander, the struggling Mets purchased minor league outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Gilbert, 22, has a .241 average and an impressive .342 on-base percentage in Double-A, while Clifford, 20, was solid in high Single-A, hitting 16 home runs and a .271 average.
Verlander has been the subject of trade rumors since the Mets dealt another ace, Max Scherzer, to the Texas Rangers last week.
Sitting under .500, New York covered a significant portion of Scherzer’s salary in his deal with Texas for top prospect Luisangel Acuña and may have done the same to bring in better talent in exchange for Verlander.
The Mets are currently cutting payroll and adding prospects in hopes of a better 2024 season. Other players that could be dealt before the 6 p.m. EST deadline include outfielder Tommy Pham, starter Jose Quintana, and relievers Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley , according to ESPN.