The New York Mets didn’t wait long to replace Jacob deGrom after the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner bolted for Texas to sign with the Rangers. Just a few days later, the Mets landed three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to take deGrom’s spot in the rotation.
According to multiple reports, Verlander inked a two-year, $86.66 million deal with the Mets. There is a club option for $2025 included, with the value coming at $35 million.
Spending this kind of money on a pitcher who will be 40 before the 2023 campaign starts might raise some eyebrows, but it is clear that the Mets are willing to do everything to get over the hump. And Verlander, coming off one of his best seasons in MLB, has the ability to help them do that.
Verlander spent almost two years on the sidelines due to a Tommy John surgery before making a comeback this past season. He delivered an impressive campaign with the Houston Astros in 2022 that saw him post an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA and 185 strikeouts. Verlander won Cy Young Award at the end of the season while helping the Astros win a World Series title.
The Mets will pair Verlander with another three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer at the top of their rotation. They are also expected to make more additions to their pitching staff in order to keep the momentum going after the 101-win outing in 2022.
