Well, that was quick: Justin Verlander’s time with the Mets is over.
The veteran has been traded to the Astros, for whom he pitched from 2017 to ’22, on a deadline day deal. Amid a disappointing season, Mets brass began dismantling the most expensive roster in baseball history last week, selling off Verlander’s fellow pitchers Max Scherzer and David Robertson, along with outfielder Mark Canha. They’ve now wrapped up by dealing their biggest trade chip in Verlander. And they did their best to make it worth their while. The Astros are sending the Mets two of their best prospects, Double A center fielder Drew Gilbert and High A outfielder Ryan Clifford, to close the deal.
Verlander is under contract for 2024 with a vesting player option for ’25.
