The Mets have their replacement for Jacob deGrom in the form of Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.
The Mets and Verlander agreed to terms on a two-year, $86 million deal with a vesting option for the third year in 2025. Here’s the catch though, Verlander is 40 years old. He now slides into the top of the rotation next to his old Detroit Tigers teammate Max Scherzer, who will be 39 in the middle of next season.
In other words, the Mets are taking the gamble they can win right away with two pitchers past the typical prime for most starters.
Verlander showed he still has plenty in the tank in 2022. He captured his third Cy Young Award last season, posting an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA, and helped guide the Houston Astros to a World Series title. This after missing two years due to Tommy John Surgery.
Verlander is also the only player to win multiple World Series titles (two with Houston), an MVP Award, a Rookie of the Year Award, and three Cy Youngs. In 482 career starts, Verlander has won 244 games, owns a lifetime 3.24 ERA, and has 3198 strikeouts. He is a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he finally does call it a career.
The signing of the Verlander signals that the Mets will not be done. Expect New York to still consider contracts for Carlos Rodon, Chris Bassit, Taijuan Walker, or Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga.
