The Mets have replaced one Cy Young winner with another.
After losing Jacob deGrom to the Rangers in free agency over the weekend, the Mets announced Wednesday that they have signed Justin Verlander to a two-year deal with an option for 2025. According to Jon Heyman MLB Network and other journalists , the contract is worth US$86 million.
Verlander, 39, has continued to defy time, finishing the 2022 regular season as the all-MLB leader in ERA (1.75) through 28 starts for the Astros. The veteran right-hander continues to throw a fastball that approaches 100 mph and also led MLB in WHIP (0.83) and fewest hits per nine innings (6).
After another terrific season, Verlander decided to try free agency and put his remaining $25 million, one-year contract with the Astros on the table.
In all, Verlander has pitched 17 major league seasons. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2006, AL MVP in 2011 and AL Cy Young in 2011, 2019 and 2022. He has been named to the All-Star Game nine times and remains one of the elite arms despite having Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2021 season. He is one of just six pitchers in AL/NL history to throw three or more no-hitters, throwing one once morest the Brewers in 2007 and two once morest the Blue Jays (2011 and 2019).
Although his postseason record isn’t nearly as brilliant, Verlander was named 2017 ALCS MVP following allowing just one earned run and 10 hits in 16 innings once morest the Yankees, walking two and striking out 21. His experience in October is extensive. : Has pitched in five World Series, two with the Tigers (2006 and 2012) and three with the Astros (2017, 2019 and 2022).
Verlander finally won for the first time in the World Series in Game 5 of the 2022 Fall Classic once morest the Phillies, allowing one run in five innings at Citizens Bank Park.
