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Houston Astros strengthen their rotation and trade for Justin Verlander
Aug 1, 2023, 1:59 pm
Justin Verlander returns to Houston. Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images.
5 strikes from Justin Verlander's hot start to 2019
According to multiple sources, the Houston Astros have a deal in place to trade for Justin Verlander.
Justin Verlander and the #Astros won two World Series titles together, now they're back together vying for a 3rd title.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2023
Bob Nightengale is reporting that two minor league players will be heading to New York in the deal. Astros top prospect Drew Gilbert and OF Ryan Clifford.
Wow, Astros pay a massive price. Gilbert, a first-round pick last year, is their top prospect. Clifford is No. 4, according to MLB Pipeline https://t.co/AgIV87JvuM
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 1, 2023
Verlander is 6-5 this season with a 3.15 ERA. It will be interesting to see if the Mets send cash to Houston as well. We'll continue to update the details of the contract as more information becomes available.
Justin Verlander in July:
2nd in NL in OPS allowed (.477)
3rd in NL in opp. AVG (.167)
Astros rotation this year:
13th in AL in OPS allowed (.727)
10th in AL in opp. AVG (.247)
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 1, 2023
Nightengale is reporting that the Mets are sending the Astros $54 million. I believe Bob meant $39 million over 2 1/3 years.
The New York #Mets are sending the #Astros about $54 million in the Justin Verlander trade, one executive said, if Verlander's $35 million option in 2025 becomes vested.
Verlander is owed about $93 million, meaning the #Astros would pay Verlander about $29 million for 2 1/3 years
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2023
Here are more details on the cash the Mets are sending.
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
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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.