While this free agent class is overshadowed by the big fish on the market, Juan Soto, there is still a future first ballot Hall-of-Famer on the marker. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Houston Astros are “having conversations” with Justin Verlander on a potential return to Houston in 2025, per Astros GM Dana Brown on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight podcast. The former Met posted his highest ERA since his 2005 rookie season, where he threw only 11 1/3 innings, in his 2024 campaign with the Astros. 

Between injuries and poor play, Verlander’s market is not as large as one would think, making a return to a familiar place on a one-year deal quite possible.

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Latest Mets News

Francisco Alvarez continues to show videos of him putting in work during the offseason.

Offseason work for Francisco Alvarez 💪

(via franciscoalvarez.13/IG) pic.twitter.com/O5fwINkMiy

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 23, 2024

Latest MLB News

Texas Rangers reliever Josh Sborz had a shoulder debridement procedure last week, per Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News. Sborz will miss 2-3 months of the 2025, but he and the club still agreed to a deal for the 2025 season.

The Cincinnati Reds have hired former World Series champion Mike Napoli for an unspecified role within the organization, per Rob Bradford of WEEI. Napoli was previously the Chicago Cubs first base coach.

Former St. Louis Cardinals close Giovanny Gallegos is signing a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.

Right-handed relief pitcher Yunior Marte signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Seattle Mariners, per Francys Romero.

Former 2018 sixth-round pick and right-handed pitcher Codi Heuer has re-signed with the Texas Rangers on a minor league with a spring training invite, per Matt Eddy of Baseball America. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had “preliminary dialogue” with NLCS MVP and utility man Tommy Edman on a potential contract extension, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Edman will become a free agent after the 2025 season.

Latest on MMO

Get to know potential Mets starting pitching target Matthew Boyd.

Chris Bello gave a look at some non-tendered players the Mets should go after.

On This Date in Mets History

2005: The Mets acquire Carlos Delgado from the Florida Marlins in return for first baseman Mike Jacobs and prospects Yusmeiro Petit and Grant Psomas. Delgado hit 104 home runs with New York and finished top-15 in MVP voting twice. 

Born On This Date: Jason Jacome (1970), Bob Friend (1930).

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