Mets Overtake Braves in World Series Odds After Justin Verlander Signing at Winter Meetings
By Ben Heisler
The New York Mets entered the postseason on a whimper, ended the playoffs with a thud, but got the Winter Meetings started with a boom.
ESPN's National MLB insider Jeff Passan reports that after losing two-time National League Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom to a massive new contract with the Texas Rangers, the Mets are bringing in this year's AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to town.
Justin Verlander’s deal with the Mets is for two years and $86 million, per source. It includes a vesting third-year option. After losing Jacob deGrom, the Mets replace him with the American League Cy Young Award winner, who will be paired atop their rotation with Max Scherzer.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2022
Verlander now joins former Tigers teammate and 38-year old right-hander Max Scherzer in New York at the top of the rotation next season. While more moves are expected with deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker all possibly gone via free agency, here's what the Mets' rotation currently projects out to be via Fangraphs:
- Max Scherzer - RHP
- Justin Verlander - RHP
- Carlos Carrasco - RHP
- David Peterson - LHP
- Tylor Megill - RHP
The right-hander will be 40 years old at the start of Spring Training in 2023, but comes off an incredible 4.5-year run in Houston, adding two of his four Cy Young awards during his time.
What a run by Justin Verlander in Houston:
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 5, 2022
61-19, 2.26 ERA, 0.83 WHIP in 102 starts
2 Cy Young Awards
1 Cy Young runner-up
300-strikeout season
ALCS MVP
3rd no-hitter
3,000th strikeout
2 World Series titles
Mets' World Series Odds Move Past NL East Rival Braves, Enter Top 4 in MLB
Depending on what sportsbooks you use, there still is some nice value left on the board for the Mets at odds of 10/1 or higher. However, the oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook appear to have seen enough, moving New York to +850, passing their division rival Atlanta Braves (+900) along the way.
Mets' World Series odds before signing Justin Verlander: +1100
— BetSided (@BetSided) December 5, 2022
After signing: +850 👀 pic.twitter.com/JM4GBNA7Kg
The Mets held the top spot in the division for nearly the entire season, but gave the lead away late in September to the Braves on September 30, causing New York to fall to the Wild Card round where they fell 2-1 to the San Diego Padres.
For those shopping around for best available World Series odds, several books still have the Mets behind Atlanta, and a few have only moved them from +1100 down to +1000.
Best Available World Series Odds Following Justin Verlander Signing
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