One of the most surprising storylines of the season has been the New York Mets. Picked by many in the preseason to finally dethrone the Atlanta Braves, the Mets are now well out of the playoff race and have decided to sell off their veteran pieces at the trade deadline. Max Scherzer is already in Texas, and it appears Justin Verlander could be the next to go.
Several teams are interested as the trade deadline approaches tonight at 6:00 PM ET, and according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Braves are still engaged in trade talks for the three-time Cy Young award winner.
Update on Justin Verlander:
Sources say the Astros, Dodgers, Braves, and Orioles are all involved.
The same four clubs are engaged on other rotation options; there likely will come a point today when Verlander suitors pivot and find their pitching elsewhere.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 1, 2023
I almost find it inconceivable that the Mets would actually trade Justin Verlander to the Braves. It is one of the biggest rivalries in baseball, and Verlander is also under contract for next year as well. The Mets aren’t exactly rebuilding. It’s more of a re-tooling, and they hope to compete as soon as next season. Trading Verlander to Atlanta would make it nearly impossible for them to win the division in 2024, and he also has a vesting option for 2025.
The Braves are hoping to land another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Verlander is the best option available by a wide margin. After a shaky start to the season, which included injury concerns, he’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball over his last seven starts, recording a 1.49 ERA.
I don’t know what the Braves would have to offer for the Mets to ignore the history between the two teams, but it would likely have to be way more than any other organization. With that being said, for a talent like Verlander, it just might be worth it.
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Photo: Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
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