The Mets are listening when teams call on Justin Verlander, but are placing an extremely high value on him -- which on Sunday led to a growing belief in the industry that Verlander will stay put through Tuesday’s deadline, according to multiple rival executives.
Teams expecting the type of salary relief that the Mets gave the Texas Rangers for Max Scherzer -- approximately $35 million -- are finding that the Mets are valuing Verlander differently. Trading partners wanting cash in a Verlander trade are finding the prospect ask much higher.
That is because Verlander’s stuff looks much better than Scherzer’s this year. One Yankee who faced Verlander in June and again last week said, “He looked great this time -- much better than the first time.”
As GM Billy Eppler said on Sunday in announcing the Scherzer trade, the Mets are not punting on 2024, though they are trying to get younger and improve the farm system. Holding Verlander for next season is a strong possibility.
Prior to the Scherzer trade, friends of Verlander in the industry did not think he would waive his no-trade clause. However, after Sunday’s game, Verlander said, "I think it largely depends on how the organization views next year. I mean, I think Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it like happened this year. I'm committed to trying to win a championship here. But if the organization decides that that's not exactly the direction that they think is best fit to go for next year and go for it again, then, yeah, I'd be more open to it."
Houston sources say that the Astros called the Mets on Verlander Sunday, but the sides were nowhere close to value.