Updated Post, 7/29/23

MMO’s Mike Mayer reports that Justin Verlander is garnering “strong interest” from multiple teams, including the Dodgers, Rangers, and Astros. He said the Mets could get an offer they couldn’t refuse for the 40-year-old righty, indicating the Mets would deal him if they’re blown away.

Verlander would have to waive his no-trade clause.

Original Post, 7/28/23

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB, multiple major league executives believe the Mets could trade co-ace Justin Verlander before the August 1 trade deadline next week. One source told Feinsand that the Texas Rangers could be the frontrunner for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

The Rangers showed interest in signing Verlander during the most recent offseason, though the veteran starter ultimately signed with the Mets on a two-year, $86.7 million deal. Of course, Verlander ultimately landed with the Mets because former Met Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers.

One executive noted that the Astros, Verlander’s former team, could also be interested, and a sleeper team to watch is the Reds.

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Verlander, 40, is 5-5 with a 3.24 ERA, 3.37 xERA, 1.15 WHIP, and has 76 strikeouts in 89 innings this season for the Mets. The nine-time All-Star has been much better of late, with a 1.46 ERA in his last six starts. During that span, he’s holding opponents to a .168/.269/.222 slash line and has given up just one home run.

The Mets –sitting seven games out of a Wild Card spot– started their sale late on Thursday night when they sent veteran reliever David Robertson to the Marlins for prospects SS Marco Vargas and C Ronald Hernandez.

If the Mets do decide to put Verlander on the trade block, he can guide where he ends up, given that he has a full no-trade clause. Verlander has been asked multiple times in the previous weeks about the potential for being traded, and he’s repeatedly said that he signed with the Mets to win. “I remain committed to trying to win a championship here,” Verlander said.