Houston Astros strengthen their rotation and trade for Justin Verlander
TRADE DEADLINE
01 August 2023
Justin Verlander returns to Houston. Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images.
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
How Astros revealed blueprint for 2025 in Opening Day victory over Mets
Mar 27, 2025, 6:59 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven scoreless innings and Josh Hader struck out Juan Soto with two on to save the Houston Astros' 3-1 win over the New York Mets on Thursday.
After loading the bases with nobody out in the ninth, Hader fanned backup catcher Hayden Senger in his first major league at-bat. Francisco Lindor's sacrifice fly made it 3-1, and there were runners on first and third when Hader struck out Soto swinging at a full-count slider wide of the zone for his 200th career save.
Soto singled and walked twice in his Mets debut after signing a record $765 million, 15-year contract as a free agent this offseason.
Making his fourth straight opening day start, Valdez (1-0) allowed four hits and struck out four.
Converted reliever Clay Holmes (0-1) yielded five hits and three runs — two earned — while walking four in 4 2/3 innings. Pitching on his 32nd birthday in his Mets debut, the former All-Star closer with the Yankees made his first big league start since making four as a rookie with Pittsburgh in 2018.
Jeremy Peña got hit by a pitch with one out in the second before touted prospect Cam Smith grounded an opposite-field single on the first pitch he saw in the majors. Brendan Rodgers walked to load the bases and Houston took a 1-0 lead when Jake Meyers grounded into a forceout that scored Peña.
Yainer Diaz hit an RBI single in a two-run third that extended the lead to 3-0.
The Mets debuted the No. 7 patches they’ll wear on their uniforms all season to remember Ed Kranepool, who died in September at 79. Kranepool spent his entire 18-year career with the Mets and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 1990.
Don't miss the video below as Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan from Stone Cold 'Stros react live to the win on YouTube!
Key moment
Hader finally closed it out on his 35th pitch — two more than his season high last year.
Key stat
Houston’s Jose Altuve made his first career start in left field after making his previous 1,749 starts in the field at second base.
Up next
Mets RHP Tylor Megill opposes RHP Hunter Brown when the series continues Friday night.
