Astros Still in Trade Mix for Mets Ace Verlander

Funny, Ben.

After Mets' All-Star Max Scherzer was shipped off to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 21-year-old prospect Luisangel Acuña, one can only speculate that it could cost Houston just a couple of minor league prospects to make this trade happen.

Sure, there are underlying circumstances that could prevent the deal from happening, such as contractual issues regarding a clause about innings pitched in 2024.

Many Houston fans would rejoice at Verlander returning to the Astros starting rotation, especially considering the voids needed to be filled due to injuries sustained in 2023.

Granted, the Houston brass could have just re-signed Verlander outright this past offseason without giving up prospects, but to make a long story short: it is what it is.

No one expected Scherzer to be traded to Texas, and no one expected the Mets to be terrible this season, but this is where things stand as of July 31 -- just one days before the deadline.

Yes, Houston general manager Dana Brown has expressed as early as Sunday morning that the Astros are no longer in the market for a starting pitcher -- but that could easily change between now and Tuesday.

In fact, The New York Post's Jon Heyman still has the Astros pegged as one of the top teams still engaged in a possible move for Verlander. 

Regardless of what transpires as Monday night quickly approaches, one thing is certain: it’s going to be a very exciting next 36 hours.

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