MLB trade deadline: Mets pitcher Justin Verlander ‘draws interest from the Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, Padres and his old team, the Astros’

Justin Verlander is still a pitcher for the New York Mets, but with hours left until Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, that status could only be temporary.

According to various reports, the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and even his former team, the Houston Astros, are vying for the three-time Cy Young winner.

The Mets and Astros were closing in on a deal for the 40-year-old late Monday, but “things have really cooled down” since then, a source told me. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Likewise, the Braves’ interest in Verlander doesn’t seem to result in the nine-time All-Star being sent to Atlanta, the This was reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Complicating trade negotiations for the 50-55 Mets is Verlander’s remaining contract. He is signed for next season with a possible option for 2025 after agreeing to a two-year, $86.7 million contract in December.

New York already covered a significant portion of ace pitcher Max Scherzer’s salary in his deal with Texas for top prospect Luisangel Acuña and could do the same to bring in better talent in exchange for Verlander.

After selling Scherzer to Texas on Sunday, general manager Billy Eppler insisted New York would not tear down its underperforming team, which at one point had an estimated $365 million payroll.

“I want to make it clear that this is not a renovation. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler said Sunday at Citi Field. “It’s not liquidation.”

Still, there’s a lot of buzz that Verlander, who has had a Cy Young season and a second World Series title in Houston.

Like Scherzer, Verlander has a no-trade clause and must accommodate a young family, which could limit the number of teams he wants to join.