Justin Verlander could also be subsequent to be traded for a Mets ‘group in transition’

The Mets traded the remainder of the 2023 season, such because it was, for 2 rookie-level minor league ballplayers. And now, with the trade of the Hall-of-Fame bound Max Scherzer on Saturday, they’re diminishing their possibilities in 2024, as nicely.

Somebody up excessive with the Mets talked about in a really candid dialog throughout the final two days that they are a “team in transition” — which is a pleasant method of claiming they felt massive modifications are nothing in need of mandatory.

The Mets hope to redo their entrance workplace with a brand new chief this winter (David Stearns, are you studying?), and they’re doing their greatest now to set that chief up for a greater future. As for the current, nicely, simply examine the sorry standings.

Give them this: After they see a problem — and a group with an all-time file payroll having to promote to the small-scale Marlins, because the Mets did with David Robertson, clearly exhibits one thing is drastically improper — they act. Steve Cohen footed the invoice of practically half-a-billion {dollars}, however he’s a man who performs the chances.

I doubt Cohen depends on Fangraphs, which nonetheless had the Mets at a couple of 17 % likelihood to make the playoffs finally look. However he does depend on knowledge, and no one is aware of the numbers higher than Cohen, who by some means made $20 billion plus in equities, that are in regards to the least equitable factor on Earth.

Anyway, Cohen noticed a group that just about all the time took a step again at any time when it took a step ahead, a group that underperformed at nearly each spot — aside from Robertson, in fact, who was good this season and now’s a Marlin. Mets higher-ups have described the group as a automotive that begins and stops, simply sputtering alongside. That’s not what you’d anticipate from the best-paid group of ballplayers ever assembled.

Cohen’s acknowledged objective upon shopping for the Mets for $2.4 billion was to win a World Sequence inside “three to 5 years.” If subsequent yr is in jeopardy, as it could be, that places plenty of strain on the 2025 squad for Cohen’s fifth season in orange and blue.

Whereas Scherzer was pummeled in a number of very dangerous outings this season — together with one at Fenway Park on July 22, during which he gave up 4 house runs, together with one to a .160 hitter — typically, he has been fairly good, and different groups have coveted each him and Justin Verlander. Whilst he turned 39 this previous week, Scherzer appears to have adjusted to the pitch clock and the sticky-stuff crackdown, to the purpose at which he has been pretty dominant no less than two out of each three begins.

The Scherzer deal to Texas, which is bringing shortstop/middle discipline prospect Luisangel Acuña (Ronald Acuña’s brother) had a soap-operatic impact. It took some further negotiation as a result of Scherzer had a no-trade clause and a 2024 possibility, and he beloved the concept of being in New York and having spring coaching in Port St. Lucie, a forty five minute drive from his Jupiter, Fla., house, nevertheless it obtained performed

The Mets’ co-ace, Verlander (who’s tied with Scherzer because the highest-salaried participant ever), has been even higher, with a 1.46 ERA over the previous six begins. Scouts have drooled over Verlander’s efficiency, and he would look like subsequent to go. Verlander appears significantly near Cohen, however at this level, friendship isn’t actually a significant factor. There are not any ensures on the commerce deadline, in fact, and Verlander has made it clear publicly that he loves it in New York, so perhaps he would flip down a possible commerce.

In fact, Verlander could love the Metropolis (and I consider he does), however will he need to be on a group “in transition”? That actually is not any certainty. His outdated Astros group would appear to be a logical touchdown spot if he finally is satisfied the Mets are transitioning. Whereas the Astros solely wished to provide Verlander a one-year deal over the winter, they might really feel they’re in want now, particularly with the Rangers trying nice and buying his working mate Scherzer.

The Mets may, in fact, attempt to do a fast reversal, and the free-agent pitching market might be particularly robust this offseason. Even when they will’t get Shohei Ohtani (and Mets folks don’t appear particularly optimistic in regards to the probability of Ohtani leaving the West Coast), there are Julio Urias, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, and probably Eduardo Rodriguez and Marcus Stroman (not a possible goal for the Mets). However the perception, based mostly on indicators and phrases no less than for now, is that the Mets now are extra sooner or later past 2024.

Helpful outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, reliever Brooks Raley and different veterans whose contracts are up this yr or subsequent, ought to put together for trades. However Verlander is the opposite massive one who may go. And based mostly on his current efficiency (plus Cohen’s means to pay down the deal), the Mets ought to be capable to get much more for Verlander than they’re getting for Scherzer.