8:39pm: Andy Martino of SNY tweets that a deal between the Astros and Mets is not imminent, though it’s certainly possible talks could yet pick up steam.
7:14pm: The Astros and Mets continue to discuss possible Justin Verlander trades, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Rosenthal writes that New York is trying to deal the future Hall of Famer before tomorrow evening’s deadline. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that talks between Houston and the Mets have accelerated within the past day.
It’s unclear how likely a deal is to pull off. Nightengale notes the Dodgers remain in the picture, for one. There’s also the matter of Verlander’s hefty contract and full no-trade rights, although the reigning AL Cy Young winner is certainly plenty familiar with Houston. Astros GM Dana Brown said on MLB Network Radio this afternoon the club was no longer prioritizing adding to the rotation; Rosenthal writes that Houston owner Jim Crane could get involved in discussions to try to bring Verlander back though.
More broadly, Chandler Rome of the Athletic tweets that Houston is now again focused on the rotation. The Astros expect to welcome José Urquidy back from the 60-day injured list this week, reducing the need for a depth pickup. Of course, a Verlander acquisition would be far more than that.
It’s a fascinating situation two days after the Mets traded Max Scherzer to the Rangers. Verlander could well follow his former teammate out of Queens, and it seems there’s genuine interest on the Astros’ part in making them direct competitors for an AL West title. Verlander has a 3.15 ERA despite an average 21% strikeout rate through 16 starts. He’s making $43.333MM in each of the next two seasons and has a $35MM vesting/player option for the 2025 campaign. The Mets would certainly have to kick in some money, as they did with Scherzer, but figure to be open to doing so as they look to continue adding upside to the farm system.
Yawn
Because he wanted that extra year and the owner said no.
Meant that for Changed Name.
Come on Giants get Verlander.
Doubt Verlander would ever waive his ntc and accept a trade to SF..
I thought they brought Ruf back?
I wouldn’t doubt if Lindor is attached to a trade with Verlander. Remember, they just acquired Luis Angel Acuna from Texas who is a shortstop. Maybe this trade is bigger than we expect. Dodgers are sneaky like that.
Mets aren’t moving Lindor. Acuna will play either 2B or CF.
Lindor is an overrated fielder who makes great plays. His .230 average is a joke and the Indians traded him away. Would love to see them trade him and let Mauricio and Acuna play short the rest of the way.
@Mac Attack
Lindor is a good all around defensive SS.
There’s no indication Mets have any intention of trading him.
Expect Mauricio to be called up and get a bunch of time in LF. and perhaps some at 2nd base.
Acuna is unlikely to be called up.. Eppler says he doesn’t think it’s good idea to call up youngsters to the majors before ready. Acuna’s in AA. Most likely he debuts next season.
Acuna is widely expected to shift to 2nd base. His defense at short won’t cut it in MLB. Lindor isn’t going anywhere. He is the type of player you build around.
Geez. No.
You might want to pay more attention to your own team. Seems they’re yawning too as they tank their playoff chances again.
Why did Verlander even leave? He’s made enough money for 80 lifetimes. He belongs in either Houston or Detroit.
Because he got more money from the Mets. I wouldn’t turn that down either.
Nobody would. Would be funny if he does end up back in Houston with all that money still (Mets picking up a lot).
How much MORE money will Verlander and Scherzer make pitching in a state with no state income tax?
State tax is based on where you live.
No.
State tax is based on where you live and where you work.
In MLB state income tax is based on where each game is played. Players pay state income tax in all the states they play in and income tax in Canada if they play there.
Because Uncle Stevie gave him $8 million more than anybody would give him to come to Flushing.
Astros are pretty thin with prospects to give. Send the Mets Chas McCormick and we’ll talk.
We?
At this point it’s salary relief the Mets would be seeking. Trading Verlander after already trading Scherzer (even paying roughly half his salary next season) still frees up well over $60 million for the Mets to spend over the winter
They aren’t looking for salary relief. They are paying almost all the contracts they are sending out. They want prospects and are willing to pay for them.
…to get starting pitchers
“At this point it’s salary relief the Mets would be seeking.”
No, it isn’t. Cohen doesn’t need to “free up” money to spend. Are we forgetting that he was very willing to throw $300 million at Correa seemingly just for the hell of it?
They don’t need to trade Verlander. They don’t need salary relief. Would they, however, pay a lot of Verlander’s contract down? Only if the right offer of prospects came with it.
@Rsox
…so they can trade ‘em less partial salary next summer.
Yes McCormick plus a top pitching prospect and the Mets will kick in some $$
Astros don’t have any top pitching prospects. Zero
Ha! I’ll give you top prospects; but forget McCormick. But you can have Meyers, Julks, Maldanado, Jose Abreu (we’ll need another first baseman in the deal). 🙂 P.S. Oh, and we’ll throw in Dusty and some money and call it a day.
no.
Can the Mets trade Verlander for 2 of their scouts instead of players?
Asking for a friend…..
Come on Astros bring him back let’s go for two in a row baby!
The Mets=The MESS
Are you guys throwing batteries at Trea Turner yet?
Who does Trea Turner play for now, remind me..
That is true. I can’t imagine being a Mets fan right now.. Sorry about that. We’ll help you rebuild, just can’t give you our whole farm system.
Steve needs to shut this talk down if Eppler won’t. Unless Houston’s taking on the contract, there’s no reason to pay it down if the Mets intend to compete in 2024.
It depends on what they offer in return. If they want the pitcher, they can pay in prospects….top prospects, or they can give us fewer top prospects, and pay the contract in full.
Still would be surprised if he is dealt, unless it’s for a haul. Unless NYM sign 2 of the top FA arms in offseason, they are will be a mediocre team at best next year. Good luck selling that to the season tix holders and the Buttafuocos on Long Island
As Mets have shown, one off-season can change everything. They built it up, they can break it down and build it up again.
This only makes sense if the Mets get a controllable starter in return. Like a Hunter Brown (I know nothing about Brown and have no idea if that’s fair for either side) but my point is that the Mets can’t go into next season with another starter gone
I have a hard time believing it will be for Brown. Could be for JP France or Urquidy plus some. But teams are WAY overpaying this trade deadline, so I could be wrong.
Well maybe you shouldn’t talk on it if you don’t know anything about it. No way in hell the Astros would give up Brown to get an old expensive JV back.
Deep breaths Coach, me talkin on it don’t make it so. I just don’t think it’s smart for the Mets to trade Verlander unless they get a young, controllable replacement. In which case, Mets would be covering a pretty big chunk of his salary
Trading Hunter Brown for Verlander would be counterproductive as the whole point in acquiring Verlander is to add veteran starting pitching to the young core.
The deal makes sense for the Mets if Houston is taking on his whole contract as salary relief. As far as prospects go the Astros top 6 prospects are all Outfielders and 12 of their top 30 are Outfielders, which the Mets lack depth of so perhaps a couple get sent back to Flushing in the deal
No one in the Astros organization has any value besides Brown and Gilbert . It would have to be at least those 2 guys . Rest of the Astros prospects are worthless you might as well release them all now
THIS guy. This is the one yall should be listenen to. He knows. We don’t
A bit of hyperbole but not far off the mark. Gilbert is the only top 100 prospect in their system.
Whoa, now: Ever notice the ‘Stros keep bringing up players who become stars or pretty good. They have some good players in their system and a couple of good proven outfielders (Julks and Meyers). Those two could flourish and become all-stars. They have enough to make a sweet deal, don’t be fooled. And, as GM, I’m about ready to give whatever it takes, because we have to have another starter and another good reliever.
“The deal makes sense for the Mets if Houston is taking on his whole contract as salary relief.”
This is not true. Mets do not need salary relief. Their whole MO on all of their trades so far is specifically *not* getting any salary relief and essentially buying prospects. This deal only makes sense if the Mets get a haul of prospects while paying a bunch of Verlander’s salary, ie not getting much salary relief.
I roll my eyes at all the MLBTR “contributors” that say, ” DUH…the Mets are having a fire sale” or “DUH…the Mets are in a salary dump”. Puh-lease people. Cohen spent $350 Million for this year. He’s not pinching pennies for next year. The Scherzer trade was basically moving Max the Malcontent and getting a top prospect for him. Trading Canha a salary dump? HAHAHA HAHAHA! Really? WTF people!
Regardless, the Mets stinks and everyone outside Flushing rejoice.
The Mets aren’t looking to cut salary per se but there’s a benefit to it, though, if they can reset their drafting and international free agent pool penalties. Other than that, if they intend to compete next year, they should not trade Verlander.
$350 million on a team sitting 18 games out in the NL East. There is a difference between spending money and spending wisely. Cohen and Preller in San Diego may spend like drunken sailors on shore leave but it hasn’t equated to winning. Nothing wrong with shedding payroll and reinvesting the money into next year’s free agent crop
The Astros don’t have a haul of prospects to give. Just one guy in top 100.
showman – That makes sense
No on Brown. France, maybe. Urquidy, sure. France currently has the best era of any rookie for what that’s worth. It doesn’t benefit the Astros to dump
a guy in their starting rotation for a year and a half of Verlander though. They do have experienced outfield depth. Start there.
Astros fans thinking they getting Verlander for less than the Mets got for Eduardo Escobar or Mark Canha. ICANT
22 Champs —. Not trolling. I’m just saying trading Verlander doesn’t make sense for the Mets unless they get someone to replace him.
yo Orange – I love JV as much as anyone, but no on France, no on Chas, just no! The original trades for JV, Cole, and Grienke have not hurt us one bit, and the other teams were happy with the returns. I was sad to see Musgrove go, but we’ve continued to win big without him.
Astros will look like geniuses. Let JV walk, then trade for him and let Uncle Steve pay down his contract.
the geniuses will have to give up top prospects though, if that were to happen
The geniuses don’t have top prospects to give. If they trade for Verlander the headliner and possibly more will have to come from the major league roster.
And lose two or three top prospects or young players. Of the Astros are willing to sell players then the Mets will buy.
Or they could have just signed him for straight cash and not have had to give up any top prospects to acquire him. That would have been the smart, genius move.
Astros might have more prospects than money. Can’t think of a trade they made in the last 10 years where they would be kicking themselves for letting a guy go. Track record of solid talent evaluation. Figure Cohen would have to pay down 10-15 million per season to get any prospect of value. Ideally, yes, they keep everyone and pay Verlander. However, all players values are quantified in dollars. Unless the prospect is a good player, producing more surplus value beyond his salary than Cohen sends to the Astros, the Astros would theoretically win the trade.
We did trade josh hader away:(
Astros have 0 prospects. They weren’t allowed to draft for 3 years because they were caught breaking Major League Baseball rules
Only first and second round. Only 2020 and 2021.
Well it was enough of a penalty to leave them with the worst farm system in baseball. I don’t see how they possibly have enough to get Mets to part with Verlander
The Astros have one top 100 prospect.
this did not age well
Let him go, he just wants more money. He wasn’t about winning a championship just more money in his pocket. Remember the Astros paid him 80 million and got 6 innings over 2 years (Tommy John surgery). He is on the wrong side of 40, don’t do it. Only if Mets pick up 70 percent of the remaining money owed, Astros give up a single A player not Gilbert.
Gilbert is definitely not enough to get this done, Mets got more than that for Scherzer . Astros don’t have the prospects, farm system is horrible as you would expect when you haven’t been allowed to draft for years
You clearly dont know our system or prospects in general. Baby Acuna is not his brother. He has no defense or power.
He’s not his brother but he’s a top 50 prospect in the sport. He also doesn’t need to hit like his brother he is a shortstop. Mets have said they are looking for significantly more than they got for Scherzer because they have no need to trade Verlander and he has pitched a lot better than Max this year. The only prospect the Astros have that’s even close to Acuna is Gilbert so obviously it has to start there if they are looking for significantly more than the package of Acuna
Drew Gilbert is superior to Acuna. He’s completely untouchable for a 40 year old pitcher. Acuna will move off SS. He’s an extremely overrated prospect. Top 100 prospects lists are for media heads. Front offices don’t look at the media’s top 100. They form their own rankings. Gilbert will be the Astros starting cfer and leadoff hitter by 2025. Hes a stud.
Gilbert would not even be enough, he’s not very good. Bad numbers this year , doesn’t have very good power or speed, 4th outfielder at best . Certainly not enough for Justin Verlander who is the best SP available right now
He was only the rangers minor league defensive player of the year two years ago lol
I like Gilbert but truth is he’s not projected to be a future Allstar. More like a solid starter. I would hate to lose him but would do it.
Astros have half a dozen pitching prospects that project to being #3-4 starters nothing any better. Mets can choose any one they want.
Gilbert and any pitching prospect + $5M this year, $15M in 2024 and if triggered $10M in 2025.
Let’s get this done.
Yet year after year Astros have a rookie in the top three for rookie of the year that wasn’t in the top 100 prospects for MLB.
Astros haven’t been able to have a real draft in years because of the cheating thing, so the farm system is not what it once was
Come back to reality now.
The Mets have agreed to trade Justin Verlander to the Minnesota Twins for shortstop Carlos Correa, pending a physical on Correa…
Yes holding up other SP Deals and not going to Twins because looking to get rid of SP.
Can we bring in the Rangers to this deal and get Kumar Rocker as well? Pending medicals, of course.
Astros just don’t have the farm to match up here. They could offer their top 3 prospects and it’s not enough for Verlander. Rather have Verlander than any of their guys
How many times are you going to repeat the same wrong facts. Gilbert plus Clifford could easily land verlander
No chance the Astros do that but you obviously don’t follow their minor leagues. Quit quoting Steven smith or whatever ESPN personality you get your info from because you are all wrong
Gilbert didn’t hit this year he does not have the value you think he does. Mets are asking for a significantly better package than they received for Scherzer, remember. Gilbert and Clifford ain’t that. This is the best SP available . Sorry.
As an Astros fan, I dont even want Verlander back, much less give up any legit prospects for him.
Give us your top 4 prospects or you never see Justin again
Astros have by far the worst farm system in baseball. A guy who is your number #4 is like a #25 for a regular team. Please understand this . It doesn’t matter if Clifford is your number 4
showman, what the rankers see, and what intelligent front offices see, are two different things; we continue to win, with half our current rotation being unheralded dudes from Triple A. Winning is the goal, and winning is not a function of a collection of all-stars.
You are right. Gilbert is not the same level Tucker or Alvarez were.
The reason he hit poorly is that he was playing through a shoulder injury. That’s why he was DHing. He hit very well before and after.
He is a clear future starting CF just not an all star.
Astros literally didn’t get to draft for 2 years. Common sense should tell you they probably have the worst farm in MLB
That’s fine but every time you guys respond the price goes up. We are now demanding all 30 of your top 30 prospects for Verlander
@showman, they DID get to draft, just lost a few picks; but see, so far for several years running their scouting and development are second to none – just look at the results here’s a PERFECT example of what they do so well – “Draft: Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft from Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS).”
14th round.
As of right now, after tonight’s 7 brilliant innings, he is 7-3, 2..85 ERA, 15 starts, averaging over 6 innings per start, and in the running for Rookie of the Year.
Had you ever heard of him? No? Neither, apparently, had the rankers. BA had him ranked as Astros #21 prospect, going into this season.
Mets would kill to have had his numbers this year.
2018 . Old regime and those guys are running out . Think what you want , you’ll see eventually. The well has run dry.
Price just went up btw. We will now need the entirety of your single A, double A, and triple A teams . Or Justin remains ours
and yet we’re still drinking wins from it. We won 5 more than y’all did, last year, regular season, plus a whole raft more, post season. Right now, This season, y’all trail us by nine games. You’ve spent 300 million more than we in the two seasons, and we’re 14 games better than the Mets.
The sooner some teams figure out why that is, the sooner they can emulate that success. (Hint – it is a somewhat similar methodology to the one the Mets employed leading up to 1986, though involving far less drugs and drinking)
The people with that methodology are long gone. Even the people who replaced those people are already gone
Lmao. Ryan Clifford grades out as having a 50 ceiling. You obviously don’t get what that means. 50 = MLB average. That’s his ceiling. He doesn’t have a single 60 or plus tool.
Not close. Verlander has a 3.15 ERA this season and 1.69 in July. He is going to cost more than a kid that is towards the back end of the top 100, grades out as a 55, and is 2 years away from the majors.
This is Agent propaganda trying to get another team to flinch
I expect a package of Jacob Melton and Spencer Arighetti for Verlander. I think that is very fair for both sides. The holdup is how much money the Mets send.
Mets would have no interest. Remember we’re asking for more than was received for Scherzer. Neither of those players are real prospects or of any interest to the Mets . It has to be at least a top 50 prospect and more
You’re part of the mets? How much do they pay you yearly ? You’re not part of anything you’re simply a fan of the Mets let’s not get things twisted. You have absolutely no info on their inner circle. I think Stephen Smith is on hurry or you’ll miss him
Who is this Steven Smith person you seem so obsessed with? Is he your celebrity crush or something?
Wrong. I am Steve Cohen
Funny verlander just got traded for 2 minor leaguers to the Astros. Maybe you should stick to your day job because evaluating baseball players you fall flat on your face
Eppler got ripped off again. Guy has never made a good trade in his life
Ripped off? What are you smoking and where can I get it. Clifford is a stud and Gilbert was playing injured. Both have high ceilings and have a chance to be stars at the mlb level
Bo Bichette just went down with a injured knee, this may set up a situation Detroit trades Baez with a pitcher or two. I hope the Astros get Verlander to have a epic match up with him in Texas against Max.
Blue Jags have the Depth don’t need Baez.
That would be something – added to it that they don’t appear to be best buds – just from watching them this year with the Mets.
This had to bring back something significant, in quality, not quantity or they keep him. But at this point, if the move him ‘competitive’ next year equates to .500. Which, as a Mets fan, is fine as long as there is a plan and we can see hope on the field.
I love JV, but Chas has carried this team since THE CATCH. Moving him in a JV deal would cost actual IRL wins. Bad idea, don’t do it.
I just can’t picture Verlander in an Astros jersey
I couldn’t either until a couple hours ago…..
Why not? Just look at photos from last year.
Blue, you’re my boy but you’re missing the sarcasm here.
No he’s not von is an Astros hater. Well done blue!
Haha. No. It was total sarcasm. Geez. Thought it was fairly obvious.
What an interesting strategy.
If you have a poorly filled farm system and want other teams prospects, instead of letting other teams sign free agents, overpay/outbid them and then trade those players for their prospects.
It’s an insane strategy that works if you have ungodly money. Of course it’s plan B after plan A didn’t work, but it’s smart. Mets farm is looking good.
Agreed Von. Why are your Phillies kicking the tires on Teoscar? Doesn’t field well, strikes out. Phillies should try to buy low on Tyler O’Neill. He can field and certainly showed bat skills in the past that might show up again with a change of scenery.
I don’t know how true any Phillies rumors are. That front office is so secretive and very rarely do we hear actual leaks. That being said, I’m sort of afraid it’ll be true. Tesocar is a typical Philly: bad fielder, ton of strikeouts, occasional homerun. He’s exactly what they don’t need more of.
Right now their biggest needs is good hitting outfielder who can field better than Schwarber.
Yes yes yes for CES PED ES!!! Bring back Cespedes!!! I’ll drive Vogey to the airport!
Depends on the state income tax.
3-6 million
JV is only choosing Houston over LA for tax reasons. No state tax in TX. 10% in Cali. Lets be real. If it dont make dollars…
Or maybe the fact that he has played with Houston before, is friends with the owner and has no love for the Dodgers at all?
The real reason is taxes. No state tax in TX. 10% in good ol California.
Rich people don’t pay taxes. Why do you think they have accountants and lawyers
Somehow in bazaaro Mets/Eppler word, it would make sense to trade Verlander, pay the remainder of his salary and in return receive a used mop from the Astrodome.
Let’s go Stros get Verlander back!!
Verlander holding out for Cohen to buy him a mansion in Malibu before agreeing to go the Dodgers.
334 million payroll and Daniel Vogelbach hits 5th, how can any Mets fan believe they won’t screw up this trade? They got a good prospect for Scherzer and had to pay more than 50% of his deal to get him. Verlanders value is higher but so is the finances if/when his vesting option kicks in.
Cohen is apparently printing money, when he acquired Mott and Flexen he sat at 90% tax rate. DFA of Flexen and that means Cohen spent 8.75 million in taxes and payroll for half a season of a journeyman reliever.
The flexen/gott trade was one of the weirdest trades of all time. Gott does have control beyond this year tho
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers ask for Lindor attached with Verlander. Mets just traded for a shortstop in Acuna. That would reset a lot of money coming into next year for the Mets.
“Cohen is apparently printing money”
You might be onto something…
Drew Gilbert and Spencer Arighetti for Verlander and cash.
No deal. If you ever want to see Justin again, give us your top 4 prospects
Did you see the return the Mets got for Scherzer? Acuna is good but he’s not his brother…I don’t think it would take that much to get Verlander. Mets just seem to be cleansing themselves of these huge contracts…
Acuna is better than anyone in the Astros system and Verlander is better than Scherzer. Acuna is generally considered a top 50 prospect in baseball. He’s nowhere near his brother but he’s also a shortstop
Whos got the running tally on how much money the Mets are paying ppl not to play for them?
About $110 million
Verlander for Pablo Sandoval and Cohen pays 66% of Verly’s contract…
Only if he gets a selfie with Kate
JV for Daz Cameron…..
The revamped Angels just beat down the mighty Braves 4 to 1.
I’m told Mets and Yanks have the LFer & JV on the table for Sweeney and a young pitcher. Not sure how the money works.
Does Verlander or Scherzer ever finish a season with the same team they started it with?
Arte Moreno to Minasian… Get Verlander!!!
Andy Martino has no clue what he is doing. That guy should not have a job writing about baseball.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Verlander go to the Dodgers.
Watch Ranger Scherzer vs Dodger Verlander in the “Really Big Shoe”…..
Verlander for verdugo
McCormick isn’t playing tonite hopefully he’s part of the Verlander trade being discussed McCormick and pitching prospects for Verlander and some $$
Houston would love to get Verlander back and it would definitely sell tickets, but Chaz-manian fandom has become a big thing in the city and losing him would be a hard pill to swallow for many. Gotta give to get so it will be interesting to see how it plays out in these final hours.
I’m dying to know what the plan is here for the 2024 rotation if Verlander is traded.. is 2024 just a rebuild year? Are the Mets going to rush back into free agency and do it all over again?
The Mets will be losing around $100 mil next year Scherzer $22, Cano $20, Robertson $10, Escobar $10, McCann $10, Flexen $4, Canha $13, Carrasco $12, Vogelbach $1.5 = $103 plus if they trade Verlander they can reinvest $$ into younger players
We finally get rid of that guy and now he’s coming back?
Fire Eppler now, no competitive team will be left on the field. How do they expect fans to pay good money for tickets when half the team will be AAA with no decent pitching.
They are retooling for next year, this year is done. They’ll be adding more in free agency
It would be really dumb for the Mets to not trade him. With his age and money due, it’s not worth it if your not contenting every year he’s on your roster. Just cut bait. We know the Mets will be a player for Ohtani, so might as well make sure cash isn’t remotely an issue (even though I don’t think still having verlander will stop that).
The Mets want much more than they hit for Scherzer which is fine and reasonable.
Last I read it was Gilbert and Brown they want, and that is too much and does not improve the Astros.
The current rub is that Gilbert is the only prospect the Mets like that the Astros are willing to trade. The Mets want 1 more top 100 type prospect which means the Astros need to trade for one then flip him to the Mets in a 3 way deal.
It is going to be an interesting day.
I am looking forward to what kind of career Gilbert and Clifford have.
Happy with the deal though.