*Photo from the Houston Chronicle*
Well, well, well, look at what we have here. The New York Mets and RHP Justin Verlander have agreed to a two year, $86.6 million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal has been confirmed by the Mets.
The average annual value in Verlander's deal is at $43.3 million, which matches the yearly sum of Max Scherzer's deal with the Mets. There is currently an option for a 3rd year which becomes a player option if Verlander throws at least 140 innings in the 2024 season. The option is valued at $35 million.
Verlander reunites with Scherzer by signing with the Mets after the two were top pitchers on the Detroit Tigers staff in the early 2010's. Scherzer then left for the Washington Nationals, while Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros. Verlander also serves as the top of the rotation replacement for Jacob deGrom, who signed a big deal with the Texas Rangers.
2022 was one of Verlander's best seasons despite being 39 years old. He ended the year with a 18-4 record, 2.49 FIP, 1.75 ERA, and 0.83 WHIP. He threw 175 innings across 28 regular season starts, and added to it with 4 playoff starts in the Astros World Series run, resulting in a title.
At the end of the season, Verlander took home the AL Cy Young Award, the 3rd time he's done that in his lengthy career. He also was selected to his 9th all star game in his 17 big league seasons. His 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP each led the majors. He's also won the 2011 AL MVP and 2006 AL Rookie of the Year.
In his career, Verlander has only played for the Tigers and the Astros. Across his 17 seasons, he has a 3.24 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 1.12 WHIP, with 3,198 strikeouts to his name over 3,163 innings pitched, split between 482 starts. He has a career 3.64 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 34 starts and one relief appearance in the postseason, with titles in 2017 and 2022.
The Verlander signing is the first of likely many for the Mets this offseason. He is lined up with Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill in the starting rotation, barring any further moves by the Mets.
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