According to multiple reports, Justin Verlander and the New York Mets are in agreement on a 2-year, $86 million contract with a vesting option for a third year. Andy Martino was the first to report the deal:
Verlander will now replace Jacob deGrom atop the Mets’ starting rotation. deGrom signed a massive 5-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday.
This deal fits right into what we have come to expect from the now Steve Cohen-owned Mets; go out and spend money. They spent plenty of money last offseason and signed Max Scherzer to a similar short-term, high annual average value contract.
The Mets are getting one of the game’s best, and most accomplished, right-handed starting pitchers in recent history. Verlander is coming off a season in which he threw 175 innings, with 185 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA. It was good enough to win the A.L. Cy Young Award, which was the third of his career.
For some insight into Verlander’s recent success, you can click here.
Coming off a season in which the Mets won 101 games, but lost to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series, they are continuing to invest in their major league roster during its competitive window.
Verlander will be 40 at the start of the next season, and while many will question how well he can hold up at his age, he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down.
One day, he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but for now, Justin Verlander will continue his career in Queens in hopes of helping the Mets win their first World Series since 1986.
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