The Mets went less than a week with just one ace, as they just signed Justin Verlander to a two-year deal with a vesting option for the third season.
According to Anthony DiComo, it’s “a two-year, $86 million contract with a $35 million vesting option for 2025.”
Verlander returned from missing most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons to throw 175 IP. He went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA and won his third CY ward last season.
The biggest knock on Verlander is his age. He’ll turn 40 in February. Unlike deGrom, Verlander doesn’t try to throw the ball past everyone, which will hopefully keep him healthy. There’s no doubt it’s a risk. But it should be a risk that Mets’ fans are willing to take, given the holes in the rotation and the departure of deGrom.
The signing reunites Verlander with Max Scherzer. The two were teammates for the 2010-2014 seasons.
Verlander was the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. The Mets picked third that year and ended up with Phil Humber.
This Verlander deal is pretty good and as much as having the Two Aces of the team being 39 and 40 years of age, the reality of deGrom’s health concerns make it about as safe. In my mind the Mets still need another pitcher of Chris Bassit’s caliber or better. I don’t think this means Carlos Rodon but I’d very much like Kodai Senga. I think that the Mets could wind up even adding an additional arm to the rotation and have singled out Noah Syndergaard for that role.
I’m interested in seeing if the Mets shift gears to focus on Brandon Nimmo (who I still see signing elsewhere) and Cody Bellinger or if they stay locked in on pitching (since they still need at least one more starter and two more relievers).
FA money gonna be huge this year. And now the NL east is like a caged death match. no more sad Phillies, Nats, and Marlins.
Sure the Phillies lucked their way to the WS and got was expected there, but this is a real team, with a real threat to the Mets.
Lets hope Cohen realizes that no is not the time to get weak knees. Nimmo is a must, as is Kenga. then fill out the pen. I dont see Judge, but its time to think that Soto will be up in 2 years. They need to lock up Alonso too.
Agree, agree, agree, Chris! Nimmo, Senga and Chafin, and a setup guy are the next signings.
Alonso and McNeil too!
Cohen will go over the Cohen LT top.
Sign Ohtani as a free agent next winter.
I love Verlander when at 40. He can outperform deGrom over the next three years.
I love Trea Turner too, but not for $ 300 million and 11 years. Phillies are going go be tough.
I really like the idea of Senga. He is the right age and will be a lot cheaper than Rodon.
Rather than Soto, I hope their next big splurge will be Ohtani after next season. He solves two problems, DH and starting pitcher. Maybe Senga cN also convince him to come to New York.
I think with Verlander on board we will see more movement. I am really interested to see what Eppler does on the trade front.
Verlander was my third choice after deGrom and Rodon but Eppler didn’t want to commit 5 and 6 years for a starting pitcher. Verlander fit Eppler’s plan better at 2 years. Last year, Eppler signed Scherzer for that reason for only 3 years. Eppler wants flexibility for their payroll so he can pivot if in he need to. Cohen’s money makes this strategy feasible. For these reasons above, the Verlander signing is a good one.
I’m quite sure that deGrom was offer at least 3/132 and wanted the security of 5/185 contract. deGrom didn’t want to bank on himself.
I stand corrected. Apparently deGrom an offer by the Mets of 3/ 111 (37 AAV) and the Rangers match it and tack on 2 more years. Cohen didn’t get a chance to up his offer according to the NY Post.
The fact is, as hard as it is to believe, Jake was done in NY for whatever reason. You add another 60-70M$ and well its obvious he was gone. Someone mentioned this was like when Seaver was traded away, but I dont see that at all. At the very least the Mets would have needed to exceed the Rangers offer. I think Cohen was realistic and even generous with an offer. Jake left NY on his own accord and terms.
In the end, today I like the Verlander deal much better and the 3rd year vesting if he delivers 140 IP in ’24 is awesome.
+1
Great signing even for an old man, who by the way has a rebuilt pitching arm. If he makes 25 plus starts we will have another gem on the mound. Thankfully Cohen is willing to spend so bring on Rodon and or Senga, but I’d be happy bringing Bassitt back as well. A Nimmo signing would be crucial and yes a big piece in the pen. But we still need a big bat to back up Alonso and Lindor. Who will that be?
We have Alvarez. If we sign Nimmo, we still need a big bat. I can see us trying to get Brian Reynolds in a trade rather than signing Nimmo. Vogelbach isn’t the answer. I would like to see Eppler pull a rabbit out of a hat tomorrow.
Isn’t it great to have Steve Cohen rather than the Wilpons.
Prospect guy here… Guys, if you want to see Met prospects reach the majors, at some point they need to have spots to get there.
If Alvarez is going to be used as Metsense and I desperately want, then the Mets only need a part time (left handed) DH. Alvarez is your DH against all of right handed pitching (25% of games roughly) and he catches in half of the games (sparing the Mets James McCann at bats). Vogelbach is a placeholder for perhaps Baty to be used in a similar split capacity, eventually replacing Vogelbach’s role as Lefthanded DH and getting a portion of the starts at third. This still relegates Mark Vientos to AAA etc…
What I’m saying is the Mets already know Vogelbach isn’t the answer but are using him as a safety net and placeholder for the very talented top prospects the Mets already have at the AAA/MLB level.
Priority list:
#3 Starting Pitcher>Setup Pitcher>Center Fielder>Middle Reliever>#5 Starting Pitcher>Middle Reliever>Designated Hitter
So with your priority list: Taillon > Chafin > Nimmo/Ballinger > Ottavino > Peterson > Lugo > Alvarez/ Bellinger might be feasible.
I’m happy with your list but really like Senga over Taillon.