MLB Rumors: Justin Verlander has a clear suitor, but it comes with a catch

The Mets still have time to trade Justin Verlander before the deadline, and his newest suitor is on the West Coast.

New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander’s options are multiplying ahead of the MLB trade deadline amid rumors that Verlander was unhappy about the franchise’s latest moves.

David Robertson is gone. Max Scherzer is gone. By the same formula and logic, Billy Eppler and the Mets may be preparing to ship Verlander off for potentially the biggest haul yet. Verlander’s top rumored suitors have involved his former team, the Houston Astros, and even a division rival, the Atlanta Braves.

What could make more sense than a trade to those two franchises is a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote about pairing the Mets and the Dodgers for a Verlander trade in the near future, explaining that the Dodgers boast a stouter farm system than other teams and could give New York a worthwhile return for the veteran ace.

"The Dodgers, because of the depth of their farm system, are a more desirable trading partner for the Mets than Verlander’s previous club, the Astros. But like Scherzer, Verlander possesses a full no-trade clause and can effectively pick his next team."

Don’t forget about that stickler no-trade clause. Just like Scherzer, Verlander can approve or veto any future trade, and there’s no telling whether he has any interest in moving to L.A.

Justin Verlander gains another top suitor in the Dodgers

Last offseason, Verlander followed the money to New York. The Dodgers reportedly offered him a two-year, $80 million deal, but he chose to sign with the Mets, who gave him roughly $6 million more.

This past week, Verlander admitted after the Scherzer trade that he was “more open” to a move, and if it comes down to it, he’ll likely take multiple factors into consideration. Is relocating the best thing to do for his family, particularly his 4-year-old daughter? How badly does he want to win in 2023?

Several playoff-contending teams could use a quality starting pitcher like Verlander, and there’s no doubt that the Mets would receive a much better return for Verlander than what they got for Scherzer or Robertson.

Verlander’s age could cause some teams to stay away, especially given the condition in his contract that guarantees him $35 million in 2025 (when he’ll be 42 years old) as long as he pitches 140 innings in 2024.

Verlander’s intentions — and the Mets’ intentions with their star pitcher — may become clearer in these next two days.