UPDATE: Per Bob Nightengale, the Astros are sending two minor-leaguers – outfielders Drew Gilbert, the team's No. 1 prospect, and Ryan Clifford – to the Mets in the trade.
For the second time in his career, Justin Verlander has been traded to the Houston Astros. In a stunning turn of events this year, following the Mets failing to meet their preseason expectations, owner Steve Cohen decided to sell off as many players as possible ahead of the deadline. After trading Max Scherzer to the Rangers, all focus turned to where Verlander would pitch next. Holding all the cards in this scenario, Verlander approved a trade back to the team that he won a second World Series with just eight months ago.
Verlander finds himself traded to the Astros again after originally being sent to the Astros ahead of the now defunct waivers deadline back in 2017, approving a deal to Houston at the last possible second that night. Verlander played out the rest of that contract, eventually signing a two year, sixty six million dollar extension. Verlander would pitch just one game under that contract, starting opening day of the shortened 2020 Covid-19 season. He would undergo Tommy John surgery, missing the entire 2021 season as the Astros went back to the World Series, falling to the Atlanta Braves in six games. Verlander decided to return as a free agent in 2022, signing a one year, twenty five million dollar deal with the Astros. Returning to his brilliant form, Verlander would win his third AL Cy Young award, his second with the Astros. While he would struggle overall in the postseason, he and the club would pick up their second World Series title together, Verlander winning his first career World Series game in game five of the series.
Following his brilliant 2022 campaign, Verlander cashed in with the Mets this winter, signing a two year, nearly eighty seven million dollar deal with the Mets. The deal also holds an option year for 2025 that automatically vest for thirty five million dollars if Verlander throws 140 innings next season. His run with the Mets was filled with many ups and downs, just like the club suffered overall. An injury in Spring Training delayed his New York debut until May and his performances early on were not of his consistent form. Having pitched much more like the 2022 version of himself recently, Verlander has seen his numbers continue to creep towards his norm. In his sixteen starts with the Mets, Verlander went 6-5 with a 3.15 era.
His last start with the Mets came on Sunday in New York. If he were to pitch on regular rest this week, he could make his return with the Astros on Friday against the Yankees in New York.