The New York Mets have bounced back quickly after watching Jacob deGrom sign with the Texas Rangers last week.
The Mets signed former Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million deal Monday. The news was first reported by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
$43.3M per year, Full no trade, 3rd year option: at $35M. Verlander option vests as a player option at $35M for 2025 if he pitches 140 innings in 2024.
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Verlander’s contract comes out to a similar average annual value as that of Max Scherzer, and he will join him atop the Mets’ rotation. Verlander and Scherzer have a lot of star power in common, being that both right-handers are three-time Cy Young Award winners. The duo has already spent time as teammates back from 2010 to 2014 with the Detroit Tigers. During that stretch, the Tigers won four American League Central titles.
Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award in 2022 with a league-best 18 victories and career-low 1.75 ERA.
This news comes days after deGrom signed a a five-year, $185 million contract with the Rangers. Verlander, who turns 40 next year, will fill the top starter role that deGrom leaves behind.
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The Mets are also reportedly looking to add a mid-tier starter to the rotation this offseason. Potential free agents to fill that role include Taijuan Walker, Johnny Cueto, Jameson Taillon and Jose Quintana, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
MORE MLB:
- Mets might be priced out on free-agent pitcher
- Rangers may raid Mets to build around Jacob deGrom, report says
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.
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