New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander will make his debut with the Mets in the Grapefruit League on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. Verlander comes to New York in 2023 to help make up for Jacob deGrom leaving for the Texas Rangers in free agency. He and Max Scherzer will team up at the top of New York's starting rotation to give the team once again one of the best one-two punches in baseball. Despite being 40 years of age, Verlander was his usual dominant self for the Houston Astros in 2022, going 18-4 with a league-leading 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), league-leading 0.83 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 175 innings over 28 starts to win the American League Cy Young for the third time in his illustrious career. There is injury risk, but Verlander remains a fantasy ace.

The New York Mets signed right-hander Justin Verlander on Monday to a two-year, $86 million deal. The deal includes a vesting option for a third year at $35 million. Verlander will make $43.3 million per year and will also have a full no-trade clause in his move to the National League. His 2025 option vests as a player option if he pitches 140 innings in 2024. The Mets lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers in free agency and replace him with the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. Verlander will turn 40 in February, but even after missing all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery, he seemed to be better than ever and finished 2022 by going 18-4 with a league-best 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), a league-best 0.83 WHIP, 185 strikeouts and 29 walks in 175 innings over 28 starts for the Houston Astros. Despite his age, he'll be a highly coveted fantasy ace in 2023.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees are among the teams talking to the top two remaining free-agent starting pitchers. At the moment, the Mets seem more intrigued by right-hander Justin Verlander, while the Yankees seem more focused on Carlos Rodon. The Baltimore Orioles are among the many teams in on Rodon. The Houston Astros and Verlander are far apart in talks, which has opened the door for other teams to swoop in on Verlander, the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. The Mets might be the favorites to land one of Verlander or Rodon now that Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Verlander will require a shorter-term contract than Rodon given his age.

The New York Mets have moved their attention to free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander after right-hander Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday. The Mets never got to make a final offer to deGrom before he chose the Rangers. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, which the Houston Astros don't want to do, which has opened the door for other teams to jump in. The Mets will likely have to pay close to the $37 million per year that deGrom got for the Rangers to land Verlander, but a deal for Verlander won't be nearly as long as deGrom's. With deGrom leaving for the American League, the Mets are looking for another top arm to pair with Max Scherzer at the top of their starting rotation for the 2023 season.

The New York Yankees are in on free-agent starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon. They aren't as much in on right-hander Jacob deGrom for what he sees ($40 million-plus). Outfielder Aaron Judge remains the main target for the Bombers, but the Yankees also want to add a big starter this offseason as well. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal for around $130 million in free agency, and the Houston Astros don't want to give him three years, so it could open up the door for the Yankees or another team to swoop in. Adding an arm like Verlander or Rodon to pair with ace Gerrit Cole would immediately upgrade New York's starting rotation in 2023.

The Houston Astros and free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander are "far apart" in talks, according to sources. Verlander is seeking $130 million for three years after winning the 2022 American League Cy Young, and the Astros seem pessimistic on Verlander, which may open the door for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees. "Quietly, they prefer not to sign him for three years. Verlander was great in-season but they carried him in the postseason," one person familiar with the Astros' thinking said. "No one [in Houston] wants to go three [years]," another source adds. The Mets are "tempted" by a Verlander-Max Scherzer reunion from their days with the Detroit Tigers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly meeting with free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander on Monday, according to a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman. Heyman tweeted the following on Monday morning: "Word is Dodgers are meeting with Justin Verlander today. Would fit their preference for big talents on short-term deals (with of course very high AAV). Both NY teams interested and of course incumbent Astros." Verlander is coming off another strong season on the mound, pitching to a 1.75 ERA, a 2.49 FIP, 185 strikeouts and 29 walks in 175 innings of work. He also logged 18 wins in 28 starts to win the American League Cy Young.

The New York Mets met with free agent starting pitcher and American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander on a Zoom call last week, per the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Per Rosenthal's report, the Mets would consider Verlander if they cannot re-sign departed free agent Jacob deGrom. The 39-year-old compiled an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 27.8% strikeout rate through 28 starts and 175 innings pitched in 2022. Verlander will have a competitive market, but his age combined with his request for a multi-year deal will impact his suitor list.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander won his third career American League Cy Young award in 2022 at 39 years old after having Tommy John surgery. He won the award unanimously after missing all of last year. Verlander becomes the first-ever pitcher to win the award after throwing zero innings the previous season. He's also one of 11 pitchers in MLB history to have won the Cy Young three times. On top of that, Verlander was the fifth-oldest hurler to win the award. He had an AL-best 18 wins and a major-league leading 1.75 ERA, WHIP (0.83), opponents' OPS (.497) and opponent's batting average (.186). The 39-year-old is stiff-arming Father Time and will cash in on the free-agent market this winter after just winning a World Series title.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday that the New York Mets are "considering whether to pursue" veteran free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander. The Mets had several members of their starting rotation enter the free-agent market this offseason, so they will need to fill some gaps if they hope to make it to the playoffs once again. While he will be 40 years old entering the 2023 season, Verlander had a stellar 2022 campaign, going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 27.8% strikeout rate over 28 starts and 175 innings pitched. It would likely take a high-value, short-term deal to sign Verlander, wherever he ends up landing.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has opted out of his contract and has become a free agent. Verlander could have stayed in Houston for $25 million in 2023, but he should be able to get much more on a multi-year deal on the open market. The 39-year-old right-hander missed all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned in 2022 and was fantastic, going 18-4 with a league-best 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), a league-best 0.83 WHIP, 185 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 175 innings over 28 starts. Verlander is the overwhelming favorite to win the American League Cy Young for the third time in his career and the second time in the last four seasons. He'll be 40 years old when the 2023 season begins, but Verlander hasn't shown signs of slowing down and should be drafted as a fantasy ace, regardless of where he lands.

The New York Yankees were toying with the idea of adding Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander to their rotation last winter, offering him $25 million. They could choose to make another run at him this winter if he opts out of his current deal with the Astros and becomes a free agent. However, the Yankees were discouraged about their chances of ever signing him when he chose to go back to Houston at the same dollar amount that the Yankees offered. Verlander made the right call, having another fantastic season while winning another World Series title with the Astros. The 39-year-old ageless right-hander got the win in Game 5 over the Philadelphia Phillies. He wasn't all that great in the postseason, but he led the league in wins (18), ERA (1.75) and WHIP (0.83) while adding 185 strikeouts over 28 starts.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander will reportedly start the fifth game of the World Series, per a tweet from MLB.com's Brian McTaggart on Wednesday. The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 7.20 ERA, a 3.31 FIP, 19 strikeouts, and four walks in 15 innings this postseason. He previously logged a 1.75 ERA and a 2.49 FIP with 185 strikeouts compared to 29 walks allowed in 175 regular-season innings. Most recently, Verlander gave up six hits, five earned runs, and two walks while striking out six batters in five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of the World Series.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander's World Series woes continued Friday night in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies, when his team lost 6-5 in 10 innings. Over five innings, he allowed five runs on six hits while walking a pair and striking out five. Verlander is 0-6 in World Series games with a 6.07 ERA across eight starts. The probable Cy Young winner had one of his best seasons at 39 years old, winning 18 games with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 27.8% strikeout rate. If the series goes long enough, Verlander will get another start and hopefully improve on his 7.20 ERA this postseason.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander will start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. Verlander has been Houston's ace all year, so this was fully expected. The 39-year-old allowed six earned runs on 10 hits in just four innings in his first start this postseason against the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, but he bounced back in a big way to give up just one run while striking out 11 in six innings in the Game 1 win over the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series. Verlander made one start against the Phillies just recently on Oct. 4 and threw five hitless and scoreless innings while walking one and striking out 10 at the end of the regular season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was clearly rusty in Tuesday's American League Division Series Game 1 8-7 win over the Mariners. Verlander pitched 4 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with three strikeouts. The veteran did pass Clayton Kershaw for the most strikeouts in postseason history with his 208th in the fourth inning, but that record may exchange hands throughout the playoffs. More importantly, the Astros will hope that Verlander can return to his stellar regular season numbers. He will likely pitch at the end of this series if it gets extended or at the beginning of the American League Championship Series if the Astros advance.

The Houston Astros activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned Seth Martinez to the minors in a corresponding move. Verlander, who landed on the injured list on Aug. 30 with a calf injury, will make the start in a great matchup against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. There's a chance he could face a pitch count in his first start back, though, since he didn't go on a minor league rehab assignment while away from the team. Still, it's hard to leave the 39-year-old ace out of starting lineups, especially in the excellent matchup. The nine-time All-Star currently leads all of baseball in ERA (1.84), wins (16) and WHIP (0.85) while striking out 154 and walking just 26 in 152 innings over 24 starts.

The tentative plan is for Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (calf) to return to the starting rotation on Friday against the Oakland Athletics, but manager Dusty Baker said it's not finalized yet. Verlander has already thrown multiple bullpen sessions without any setbacks and appears rearing to rejoin the rotation for the stretch run in September. The 39-year-old two-time Cy Young winner continues to be one of the best starting pitchers in fantasy despite his age, as he's gone 16-3 with a league-leading 1.84 ERA (2.71 FIP), a league-leading 0.85 WHIP, 154 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 152 innings over 24 starts. Verlander will be a no-brainer must-start against Oakland if he does indeed make his return on Friday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) is with the team on their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers and is playing catch in right field at Comerica Park. Verlander is hoping to return from the 15-day injured list to make a start during this weekend's series against the Oakland Athletics. The 39-year-old right-hander threw his second bullpen session on Sunday, and he won't need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the rotation. Verlander might not have a very long leash in his first start back, but it's hard to argue leaving him out of your fantasy lineups. The two-time Cy Young winner is 16-3 with a league-leading 1.84 ERA (2.71 FIP), a league-leading 0.85 WHIP, 154 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 152 innings over 24 starts this year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) threw a 30-pitch bullpen Friday, and pitching coach Josh Miller reported that "everything went well" during the session. Verlander has been progressing nicely after hurting his calf in a start two weeks ago and expects to return to the Astros rotation before the season is over. That being said, there is no concrete timeline and the team is likely to wait until they are sure Verlander is healthy, considering their current position in the standings. Still, Verlander can do a lot of good for fantasy managers in a small number of starts, so he should be kept around in hopes he returns soon.