STONE COLD 'STROS
Here are the massive implications of Justin Verlander returning to Houston Astros
Aug 1, 2023, 5:25 pm
Deadline SHOCKER! Justin Verlander traded to Houston Astros!
Well, the deal is official, and Justin Verlander is a Houston Astro once again. What a day for Houston sports fans!
On the day of the trade deadline, GM Dana Brown pulled the trigger, sending prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford to the New York Mets for Justin Verlander.
The Mets are also picking up a significant amount of his salary.
So that's $35 million of the $59M he's owed for '23-24.
Then $17.5M if he vests the 2025 option.
Which would bring the total paid to have Scherzer/Verlander pitch in the AL West to just over $90 million ... PLUS TAX! https://t.co/zjjsJRuLAy
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 1, 2023
And with Verlander under contract through 2024, and with a vesting option for 2025, the Astros have him under team control for the next several years. This is huge for the Astros because Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia are not expected to be available at the start of next season.
Here's another perk for the Astros with JV returning. The 'Stros have seen their current rotation wear down over the season, with Cristian Javier, Framber Valdez, and Hunter Brown experiencing some fatigue. Houston could implement a six-man rotation from time to time to keep these guys fresh for the playoff push.
One other thing to consider is what hat JV will wear when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame? With him rejoining the team, will that impact his decision?
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss all the implications of Verlander returning and what the departures of Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford could mean for Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.