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A Verlander return seems attractive, here are some better options for Astros
Jun 29, 2023, 6:04 pm
A Verlander return seems attractive, here are some better options for Astros
Mets owner Steve Cohen scheduled a press conference this week to address the disappointing state of the team. Cohen revealed that the team would be open to being sellers at the trade deadline if the team had no chance to make the playoffs.
They recently paid down Eduardo Escobar's contract ($9.5 million) to league minimum to facilitate a trade to the Angels. With that in mind, would the Mets be open to trading either Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer if New York is out of playoff contention?
And if so, which pitcher would Astros fans rather have? Verlander seems like the obvious option considering his history with the club. But Scherzer is very appealing in his own right. He shut down the Astros recently, is younger than Verlander, and has a player option to opt out of his deal next year. Which might appeal to the Astros as Verlander's contract is guaranteed for the 2024 season.
Of course, Scherzer could elect to not opt out, which would leave the Astros on the hook for Scherzer's 2024 salary. Also, Max has a no-trade clause. But recently it was reported that he would consider waiving his no-trade clause for a good situation with a chance to compete for a championship.
Finally, if neither of the Mets pitchers are available, who are some options the Astros could have interest in with the trade deadline approaching?
Be sure to watch the full discussion above as we break it all down!
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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.