Feb 17, 2023; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) and New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throw pitches in the bullpen during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports / © Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Even though there has been a lot of talk about the Texas Rangers and Justin Verlander in the news over the past few days, the Rangers and Mets have never talked about the future Hall of Famer. Since discussions started a few days ago, it was always Max Scherzer.
The complicated Scherzer deal took up most of GM Billy Eppler’s time on Saturday, which is why it’s good that he did that and Thursday’s David Robertson-to-Miami trade with a few days to go before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
“They were smart to start early,” said an executive from a rival company.
There’s still time to determine if Verlander has a future with the Mets. It’s not a given that the team will trade him just because they got rid of Scherzer. On the other hand, the return for Scherzer suggests that they could get an excellent prospect or more by trading Verlander, who is having a better season.
The Mets got Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Rangers’ third-best prospect, by lowering Scherzer’s salary to $22.5 million.
Scouts who have been watching the Mets for the past few weeks were sure that Scherzer’s stuff had gone down more than Verlander’s, but anyone could see that for themselves. Scherzer may not be worth much to the Rangers, but Verlander seems like he could help a team like the Houston Astros, which he just left (yes, they are interested).
One scout who has seen Verlander’s recent starts said, “I could see the Astros, where he’s comfortable, getting him through six innings in a postseason game and then handing it off to the bullpen.”
The Mets haven’t talked to Verlander far enough along yet to ask him about giving up his no-trade clause. They don’t know if he wants to move or if the selloff means he wants to play elsewhere.
They might have to ask him soon.