3 players who could make or break Mets World Series chances

Mets make-or-break player for 2023: Justin Verlander

The Mets made plenty of big signings in the offseason, but perhaps none will potentially pay more dividends than Justin Verlander if the defending American League Cy Young Award winner can continue to show his dominance on the mound in what will be his age-40 season.

At some point, Father Time will start to catch up with Verlander, but the Mets are hoping it isn’t before he is deep into a two-year, $86.67 million deal that begins this season. How well Verlander pitches in Queens will be one of the key factors when weighing if New York’s decision to part ways with Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt, and Taijuan Walker this offseason was the right call.

If Verlander and Max Scherzer can be the one-two punch that every Mets fan envisions taking the mound in a big series (and making 30-plus starts each during the regular season in a perfect world), New York will have a definite advantage. However, Verlander is coming off an offseason where he posted a combined 5.85 ERA/1.55 WHIP in four starts (20.0 innings), so that is something for Mets fans to keep an eye on as the season gets underway.

Verlander’s health is one of the biggest keys for the Mets this season and could be something that makes or breaks the team’s chances to get back to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2015.