The Mets continued their firesale hours before the deadline with a massive trade. The Mets traded ace pitcher Justin Verlander to the Astros. In return, the Mets received Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, the first and fourth-best prospects in the Astros system. The Mets will also be sending the Astros 35 million to help cover the rest of Verlander’s contract. This is a massive deal with significant ramifications for both teams.
Impact on the Astros
The Astros find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season. They’re in a dogfight for the American League division crowd. The Texas Rangers and the Astros have been in a heated race with only a half-game separating the two teams. Now, because of this, both of these teams were looking to bolster their pitching staffs when the deadline came around.
The Rangers made the first splash, ironically acquiring the Mets’ other available pitcher in Max Scherzer. This forced the Astros’ hand and made them go out and acquire their big-name pitcher. This brings us to Justin Verlander, who is entering his second tenure as a member of the Astros. Verlander had previously spent four and a half seasons in Houston between 2017-2022. During that time he had an ERA of 2.26 in 652 innings, with 825 strikeouts, 114 walks, a 0.833 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 187. He also helps the Astros win two World Series and three American League pennants. It’s safe to say that the Astros are hoping history can repeat itself.
This season, Verlander got off to a rocky start. With him being injured and some rough starts, people began to fear, that time had caught up with the future hall of famer. However, Verlander has gotten back on track over the past few weeks and reminded all of us why he was given that contract. So far in 94.1 innings, Verlander has a 3.15 ERA with 81 strikeouts, 31 walks, a 1.145 WHIP, and a 131 ERA+. This is a major upgrade to the Astros rotation, and huge in their attempt to defend their title.
Impact on the Mets
When the Mets sign Verlander to a two-year 86.7 million dollar contract, everyone thought he would retire a Met. No one thought that he would only spend half a season in New York. However, with the way Billy Eppler and company have torn down this roster, it wouldn’t have made any sense to keep Verlander on the roster. Might as well trade him, and help restock the farm system.
Now the way the Mets have revamped their farm system deserves its own post, and one will be coming out about it later this week. But in short, this trade had an immense impact on the Mets farm system. As mentioned earlier they acquired outfield prospects, Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. Gilbert is the best prospect in the Astros system and the 68th according to MLB Pipeline. Clifford is the fourth-best prospect in the Astros system, and is only 20 years old, with lots of time to develop.
Gilbert projects to be a center field, whose game will revolve around his hand-eye coordination and his above-average speed. Whether he will use this speed to take an extra base or to get to a fly ball, he has the potential to be explosive. He’s also a fiery competitor and has a personality fans will fall in love with. Clifford projects to be more of a corner outfielder. The biggest benefit to Clifford’s game is his power potential. He has the potential to be an above-average power hitter. He also has the ability to quickly rise up the minor league ranks.
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