Key Takeaways
- • Jon Heyman reports that mystery teams are in pursuit of Mets starter Justin Verlander as the trade deadline approaches, with the Dodgers and Astros named as the known suitors.
- • Steve Cohen's Mets have been absorbing salary in trades, as seen in the recent Max Scherzer deal with the Rangers, to increase the prospect return the team receives.
- • Verlander is owed a salary of roughly $43 million in 2024 in addition to his 2023 pay, and the Mets could cover a portion of it to facilitate a trade.
- • The commentary suggests a Cubs acquisition is conceivable if the Cubs were to part with a top prospect, since Verlander would not be a pure rental and would affect the NL Central race.
Summary
According to Jon Heyman, there are mystery teams in the mix for Mets starter and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander as the trade deadline nears. Heyman names the Dodgers and Astros as the non-mystery suitors. The article notes that the unnamed team could be the Orioles, who have previously been linked to Verlander.
The piece highlights a pattern in how Mets owner Steve Cohen is managing the roster. The Mets paid down a large portion of Max Scherzer's contract in their recent trade with the Rangers, which increased the prospect return the club could secure. Cohen is continuing to carry the salaries of players traded to other teams, bearing the luxury tax burden as the roster is reshaped to maximize the talent acquired in exchange.
Verlander's 2023 salary is substantial, and he is owed $43 million and change in 2024. The article asks whether the Mets would be willing to absorb a similar share of Verlander's contract to facilitate a deal. Under that scenario, the author questions whether a Cubs team would give up one of its top prospects to acquire him. The author characterizes the idea as unusual but argues it is not clearly unrealistic, given that Verlander's contract extends beyond 2023, so he would not be a pure rental, and that he would be a meaningful addition in the NL Central.
The piece highlights a pattern in how Mets owner Steve Cohen is managing the roster. The Mets paid down a large portion of Max Scherzer's contract in their recent trade with the Rangers, which increased the prospect return the club could secure. Cohen is continuing to carry the salaries of players traded to other teams, bearing the luxury tax burden as the roster is reshaped to maximize the talent acquired in exchange.
Verlander's 2023 salary is substantial, and he is owed $43 million and change in 2024. The article asks whether the Mets would be willing to absorb a similar share of Verlander's contract to facilitate a deal. Under that scenario, the author questions whether a Cubs team would give up one of its top prospects to acquire him. The author characterizes the idea as unusual but argues it is not clearly unrealistic, given that Verlander's contract extends beyond 2023, so he would not be a pure rental, and that he would be a meaningful addition in the NL Central.
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