Two-time World Series champion Justin Verlander returned to the Houston Astros on Tuesday, the 40-year-old righthander being moved by the New York Mets at Tuesday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline.
Astros minor-league outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford went to the Mets in exchange for Verlander and from $32 to $54 million toward Verlander’s salary, depending on his performance this year and next.
Verlander pitched the Astros to titles in 2017 and last year and claimed American League Cy Young Awards as top pitcher in 2011, 2019 and last year before signing with the Mets last December.
“It’s definitely going to provide a huge boost, not only energy-wise but just to be having a guy like him in here,” said Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, Verlander’s teammate on both World Series title runs.
“We know how much he brings not only to the mound but the clubhouse. It’s big time.”
After posting a social media message confirming the trade, the Astros posted a photo of Verlander with the tagline: “Back where he belongs.”
Verlander’s move was the most highly anticipated shift at the MLB trade deadline after the Los Angeles Angels decided to keep Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.
The Mets had signed Verlander and pitcher Max Scherzer to two-year deals worth $86 million with hopes of building a title contender.
But the Mets are 50-55 and 17.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East division, well out of the playoff picture with two months remaining in the campaign.
The Mets unloaded Scherzer to the Texas Rangers on Saturday for a minor-league prospect.
The Rangers lead the AL West division at 60-46 with Houston just behind at 60-47, meaning Verlander and Scherzer, briefly teammates, will be ace pitching rivals battling for playoff positions.
Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena, last year’s World Series Most Valuable Player, was thrilled at Verlander’s return.
“He was great for us last year. He’s a leader in this clubhouse so we’re excited,” Pena said.
“We know we have the team to compete and have a special year and to add Justin Verlander on top of that, it’s a great feeling, so we’re ready to welcome him back and we’re ready to get to work.”
Verlander has a 1.49 earned-run average over his past seven starts after an early season injury.
Verlander, who was sought by the Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers among others, waived a no-trade clause in his contract to allow the deal.
The trade reunites the Astros with one of baseball’s most tested playoff pitchers, who began in the major leagues from 2005-2017 with Detroit, taking the 2011 Cy Young and AL MVP awards with the Tigers.
After a 2017 deadline trade to Houston, Verlander sparkled in the Astros’ run to the World Series title and last year went 18-4 with an 1.75 ERA during the season before powering the Astros to another crown.
Verlander is 16-11 in the playoffs with a 3.64 ERA and an MLB-record 230 strikeouts.
‘E-Rod’ says no to LA
One deal that didn’t get done, according to multiple reports, was Detroit left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez rejecting a trade to the Dodgers. The 30-year-old Venezuelan southpaw would no drop a no-trade clause to Los Angeles.
The Baltimore Orioles, leading the AL at 65-41, acquired 27-year-old right-hander starting pitcher Jack Flaherty from St. Louis.
The Toronto Blue Jays obtained shortstop Paul Dejong from St. Louis only hours after a right knee injury to Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette in a game against Baltimore.
The Blue Jays sent minor-league relief pitcher Matt Swanson to the Cardinals in exchange.
San Diego obtained South Korean first baseman Choi Ji-man and pitcher Rich Hill from Pittsburgh for first baseman Alfonso Rivas and two minor-league prospects.
Atlanta, with MLB’s best record at 67-37, acquired left-handed reliever Brad Hand from Colorado for minor-league pitcher Alec Barger while Philadelphia obtained right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen from Detroit for infield prospect Lee Hao-yu from Taiwan.
