Trade deadline season in MLB means a lot of rumors: some of them are accurate, and others, well, not so much.
The New York Mets had one of the most enticing pieces of the market in pitcher Justin Verlander.
There were dozens of rumors regarding the reigning AL Cy Young award winner.
At the end of the day, the only truth, according to him, is that the Astros were the only team to present a concrete offer for his services.
People thought and even said he would veto any deals to stay in New York, but when the Houston Astros came calling, he didn’t think twice.
Houston sent two solid outfield prospects for Verlander, and the Mets will be paying a large portion of his salary.
People who said Verlander had nixed deals weren’t right.
The pitcher himself confirmed it while talking to the press on Thursday.
“Justin Verlander said he never vetoed any deals. Billy Eppler remained in contact as interest grew, but never presented him a deal other than Houston’s,” Astros insider Chandler Rome tweeted.
Justin Verlander said he never vetoed any deals. Billy Eppler remained in contact as interest grew, but never presented him a deal other than Houston’s.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 3, 2023
Verlander took a while to get going after returning from a shoulder injury that had him out of action in April.
However, he is now in midseason form with a 3.15 ERA in 94.1 innings this season.
He might not strike out as many people as he used to, but he remains a highly effective hurler and will help the Astros fight the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.
As for the immediate future, he is slated to start on Saturday against the Yankees.
Verlander, one of the best pitchers in recent history in the American League, is back in the junior circuit with the team in which he had the most success.
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