HOUSTON (AP) — Following the blockbuster trade that brought Justin Verlander back to the Astros from the New York Mets, team owner Jim Crane sent a brief text to welcome him home.
Crane expressed, “I conveyed: ‘Welcome back. Your absence was felt.’ And added, ‘Anticipating your strong performance against the Yankees when we meet in New York.'”
Verlander has reunited with the Houston squad, the team he contributed to securing two World Series championships, and is slated to take the mound on either Friday or Saturday in the Bronx.
Locked in a closely contested battle for the lead in the AL West, the Astros made a strategic move by trading outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford to the New York team in exchange for the three-time Cy Young Award recipient.
The commencement of a historic day for Houston’s rotation unfolded as left-hander Framber Valdez achieved a no-hitter against Cleveland just hours later.
According to statements given to The Associated Press, Astros owner Jim Crane revealed that the Mets could potentially transfer over $50 million to Houston to assist in covering Verlander’s contract. The 40-year-old right-handed pitcher inked an extensive $86.7 million, two-year agreement with the Mets in December, encompassing a vesting option for 2025 valued at $35 million.
Crane conveyed, “Dana (Brown), our general manager, and his team put in significant effort. After a thorough analysis of the figures—balancing the challenge of relinquishing prospects—the conclusion was that this was the right course of action. Our requirement for starting pitching was paramount. Verlander has exhibited commendable performance, and an additional factor was the Mets’ willingness to absorb a substantial portion of the contract. Hence, the decision, while not devoid of complexity, became more manageable. It ultimately boiled down to the question of whether we were parting with a sufficient number of prospects.”
In recent days, the Mets, who had been underperforming, executed a dismantling of their roster, which was historically one of the most expensive in the major leagues. This sequence of changes culminated in the trade of ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, announced on Sunday, and was followed on Tuesday by the shedding of Verlander, amidst a flurry of other transactions.
In the span of time since last Thursday, several notable players have been dealt away, including veteran closer David Robertson, reliever Dominic Leone, and outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha.
According to Crane, the idea of trading Verlander didn’t even enter his and Brown’s minds until Scherzer’s trade took place. Once that deal was finalized, the Astros positioned themselves as strong contenders if the Mets opted to trade Verlander as well.
“We were aware of his (no-trade clause) situation, and we were quite confident that if the opportunity arose, there were only a handful of potential destinations, and we happened to be one of them,” Crane stated.
Brown added that as soon as they caught wind of the Mets’ willingness to move Verlander, they launched an all-out effort.
“We firmly believe that he brings stability to our rotation,” Brown commented. “We’re genuinely excited about this acquisition. … I had the chance to converse with Justin, and he’s genuinely enthusiastic about returning.”
Crane emphasizes that his prior rapport with the pitcher played a crucial role in finalizing the deal.
“Justin and I have always had a positive relationship,” Crane affirmed. “We’ve had direct interactions on various matters. Not specifically this one, but I’m familiar with him, and our track record of delivering on promises during his time here is significant. I believe this history of trust played a part in his decision to return. Coupled with his remarkable achievements, it certainly contributed.”
Verlander recently notched his 250th career victory, with an impressive 61 of those wins achieved during his tenure with Houston. He was initially acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the midst of the 2017 season, a move that significantly contributed to the Astros securing their inaugural World Series championship.
Crane highlighted the palpable impact of Verlander’s return, stating, “It injects enthusiasm among the fans and revitalizes the team dynamic. I have no doubt that Dusty (Baker), our manager, is elated. Welcoming back our Cy Young awardee is undeniably a momentous occasion.”
As he spoke about Verlander’s comeback on Tuesday, Baker couldn’t contain his joy, his smile serving as a testament to the positive sentiment surrounding the reunion.
Baker’s sentiments expressed a profound emotional impact: “It’s like a boost to my heart’s vitality, you know? Especially for someone who has experienced a stroke, maintaining strong heart function holds immense significance. This news truly warms my heart.”
During the previous season, Verlander clinched his third Cy Young Award and secured his second World Series championship with Houston. He subsequently entered free agency.
Starting the current season on the injured list, Verlander initially faced challenges upon his return in early May. However, he has exhibited a remarkable resurgence lately, tallying a 4-1 record with an impressive 1.49 ERA over his last seven starts. His overall season performance stands at 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA across 16 starts, including 81 strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings.
Verlander’s association with the Astros began in March 2019 when he signed a $66 million contract that encompassed the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Unfortunately, he encountered an injury on the opening day of the 2020 season and was only able to make a single start during the two seasons covered by the agreement. Nonetheless, his remarkable resurgence last year solidified his exceptional comeback.
Reflecting on Verlander’s contract, Crane noted, “The previous contract had us committing around $33 million, and that didn’t yield the desired outcomes. Nevertheless, this new arrangement has sufficient flexibility to be manageable. Given our current circumstances, particularly the need for stronger starting pitching, Verlander’s return is poised to significantly bolster our team.”
In five of the last six seasons, the Astros have clinched the AL West title. However, their current standing places them just half a game behind the leading Rangers.
Alex Bregman, the team’s third baseman, expressed the substantial positive impact Verlander’s return is expected to have: “It’s undoubtedly going to provide a significant boost, both in terms of energy and having a seasoned presence in the clubhouse. We’re well aware of the contributions he brings, not just on the mound but in fostering team spirit.”
Despite contending with a string of injuries, including season-ending setbacks for starting pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García, the Astros have managed to stay competitive with the Rangers.
“We’ve faced significant injuries among key players,” acknowledged Crane. “But our team is accustomed to being in this position. Our aim remains to regain our position, secure the division title, and secure a spot in the playoffs.”
Meanwhile, the New York Mets, under the ambitious ownership of Steve Cohen, initially had an estimated payroll of $365 million. However, with a record of 50-55 and sitting six games behind the final NL wild-card spot, they have seen their fortunes decline. The Mets’ recent trade with the Rangers, facilitated by Cohen paying off approximately $35 million of Scherzer’s contract, involved the return of top prospect Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Astros parted ways with two promising prospects in this exchange:
- Drew Gilbert, a 22-year-old first-round draft pick by Houston in 2022, has showcased significant potential and currently ranks 68th on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospects list. He demonstrated his capabilities with a strong performance at Class A earlier in the season, posting impressive statistics before experiencing a dip in form upon his promotion to Double-A.
- Ryan Clifford, aged 20, was an 11th-round selection in 2022 and has exhibited a rising trajectory in his performance. He’s been hitting impressively, maintaining a .291 average with 18 home runs and a .919 OPS across two A-ball levels this season.
Regarding the financial aspect of the trade, the Mets will be sending around $35.5 million to the Astros, which will cover a significant portion of the roughly $57.5 million remaining on Verlander’s guaranteed contract. The financial breakdown includes approximately $4.2 million this year and $31.3 million in 2024. Additionally, should Verlander meet the condition of pitching 140 innings next year and exercise his $35 million conditional player option for 2025, the Mets would be responsible for an extra $17.5 million if he chooses to activate the option. Consequently, the Mets stand to save about $19 million in 2023 due to this trade, with a reduction of $10 million in salary and a decrease of $9 million in luxury tax payments.