Verlander Astros Reunion

[Cap'n Piranha]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/mets-trade-justin-verlander-astros.html

Return is Drew Gilbert, soon to be 23 year old OF in AA with a .713 OPS.  Fangraphs has him as Astros' top prospect, 49th overall.  Seems high based on that production/level/age.  No details on if the Mets are eating any money, or if the Astros are taking on all $50M between this year and next.

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

The Mets send Verlander to the Astros for Houston's #1 prospect, Drew Gilbert (MLB #68)

View full rumor

[Danchat]

Reminds me of when the Yankees traded away Aroldis Chapman, got the Cubs #1 prospect, then got him back the next year. Obviously not the same sequence of events here, but Verlander ends back up in Houston where he started, and the Mets got a top prospect out of it.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Hopefully this launches Houston into the AL West division win. I shudder at the thought of hosting them as a 4 seed in the opening round. (Would probably be 2 games and out, our only round) 

[IaBeanCounter]

10 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Hopefully this launches Houston into the AL West division win. I shudder at the thought of hosting them as a 4 seed in the opening round. (Would probably be 2 games and out, our only round) 

If the Twins win the division, wouldn't they face the 6 seed (i.e. last wild card team).  The last wild card team can either be on a roll to make the playoff or just managed to hang on to the last slot.

[Musk21]

Mets are sending $54 million with Verlander.

[Cap'n Piranha]

In essence, the Twins could have had Justin Verlander for $23M for the remainder of this year and next (and potentially $17.5M if his 2025 option vests, which it does at 140 IP), had they been willing to give up a decent but not great prospect.  Thsi is why the Twins won't win (not that I think they should have done the deal, as this team is not WS caliber, even with Verlander)--absolute refusal to actually commit to what it takes to win.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

7 hours ago, IaBeanCounter said:

If the Twins win the division, wouldn't they face the 6 seed (i.e. last wild card team).  The last wild card team can either be on a roll to make the playoff or just managed to hang on to the last slot.

You are correct, I forgot that the postseason is seeded with byes for 1 and 2 like the NFL now.

[Musk21]

22 hours ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

In essence, the Twins could have had Justin Verlander for $23M for the remainder of this year and next (and potentially $17.5M if his 2025 option vests, which it does at 140 IP), had they been willing to give up a decent but not great prospect.  Thsi is why the Twins won't win (not that I think they should have done the deal, as this team is not WS caliber, even with Verlander)--absolute refusal to actually commit to what it takes to win.

Let's not forget that Verlander had a no-trade clause and could essentially choose his destination (or to remain in NY).