A Verlander return seems attractive, here are some better options for Astros
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29 June 2023
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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Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Key moment
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.
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