The Houston Astros have again traded for Justin Verlander at the deadline, acquiring him from the New York Mets. The Astros were the defending World Series champions coming into 2023, but they have scuffled a bit this season. They face only a half-game deficit in the division.
Full trade, per ESPN sources:
Astros receive: RHP Justin Verlander.
Mets receive: OF Drew Gilbert and OF Ryan Clifford.
Deal is done.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2023
Houston’s rotation has been dicey this season, marred by injuries and inconsistency. For the Mets, this continues their sell-off at the deadline after dealing Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Let’s examine the Verlander trade for both teams and the MLB playoff race.
Verlander Trade: Back to Houston
Astros Acquire Frontline Starter
Verlander is the reigning AL Cy Young winner and pitched one of the finest seasons of his Hall of Fame career last year in Houston. After signing a record-tying deal in the offseason with the Mets, Verlander now returns to Southeast Texas. This season, he’s been adequate without being dominant. He’s posted a 6-5 record with a 3.15 ERA in 16 starts. He opened the season on the injured list but returned in May and has pitched regularly since. Verlander was previously traded to the Astros at the deadline in 2017, where he helped Houston win their first World Series title. He figures to rejoin the rotation at the top. Framber Valdez has been inconsistent this season, Cristian Javier has struggled with his more significant role, and Houston has had to rely on two rookies, JP France and Hunter Brown, for consistent innings. Though Verlander is now 40 years old, he will pitch valuable innings for the Astros down the stretch as they fight for the postseason.
Mets Stockpile More Prospects
As the summer has stretched, the Mets have pivoted to selling valuable pieces from their high-priced roster. Verlander is just the next domino to fall, and in exchange, New York receives two of the Astros’ top five prospects. Double-A outfielder Drew Gilbert is number 69 on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects list. Across two levels this year, he’s slashed .274/.363/.458 with 12 home runs. He combines excellent bat-to-ball skills with moderate power and plays solid defense with a good throwing arm. Clifford, another outfielder, has hit .291 this season and flashed plus power, hitting 18 home runs. Though neither player will likely make the majors for two years, they immediately upgrade New York’s farm system. The Verlander deal has accelerated the Mets youth movement and brought valuable prospects to Queens. However, it’s difficult to view the trade, and the Mets season as a whole, as anything but a failure.
Impact on the MLB Postseason
The Verlander trade adds some color to the AL postseason race. For most of the season, the Astros have been a distant second to the Rangers in the AL West but have recently closed the gap. Both teams will likely qualify for the postseason, but the question of who wins the division is murkier. Despite this, Houston addressed their most significant need and solidified their spot as a playoff favorite. Teams chasing a postseason berth, notably the Los Angeles Angels, now have a more challenging task to vault Houston and make their way into October.
Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, Hunter Brown, Drew Gilbert
