Houston Astros trade deadline acquisition Justin Verlander said the Astros were his "No. 1 choice" for a trade destination from the New York Mets, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome and MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, helped lead the Astros to World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.
Chandler Rome @Chandler_RomeJustin Verlander: "Houston was the No. 1 choice for me."
Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggartVerlander said the Astros were his No. 1 choice <a href="https://t.co/ylma2IR47W">pic.twitter.com/ylma2IR47W</a>
The trade brought Verlander back to Houston in exchange for highly ranked minor league outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.
Verlander said he immediately approved the deal when the Mets offered it to him, per MLB insider Michael Schwab. He expects to pitch Saturday against the New York Yankees, per McTaggart.
Despite his happiness to be back in Houston, Verlander spoke positively of the Mets following his departure.
SNY Mets @SNY_Mets"I have nothing but the utmost respect for their organization and how they treat their players. A+ from top to bottom. Anybody that would ask me about that organization if they had a decision to make, I would recommend their organization"<br><br>- Justin Verlander on the Mets <a href="https://t.co/5muowDoS4M">pic.twitter.com/5muowDoS4M</a>
The Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres had also shown interest in Verlander, but the scales were tipped because of Verlander's already-established relationship with Astros owner Jim Crane, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.
Verlander said Mets general manager Billy Eppler never presented him with a deal other than the Mets', per Rome. The decision was ultimately up to the pitcher, whose contract reportedly boasted a full no-trade clause.
Verlander is in the first season of a two-year, $86.7 million deal he signed with the Mets in December, which carries a conditional $35 million option for 2025 depending on how many innings Verlander pitches next season.
Of the $58 million Verlander is owed through 2024, the Mets will pay $35 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. New York will pay $17.5 million of Verlander's $35 million 2025 salary if it vests.
The three-time Cy Young winner, who turned 40 in February, has a 3.15 ERA and 1.145 WHIP in 16 starts for the Mets this season.
His performances improved even as the Mets slipped out of the playoff picture over the last month, with a 1.69 ERA and a 2.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio through six July starts.
Those numbers, and the Mets' willingness to eat part of Verlander's contract, made giving up a pair of prospects for him worth it, Crane said, per Gonzalez. The Astros will hope this trade is enough to help them catch the Texas Rangers at the top of the AL West.
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August 04, 2023 at 05:21AM
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Justin Verlander: Astros Were Preferred Landing Spot At 2023 MLB Trade Deadline - Bleacher Report
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