Verlander to Houston for two minor league players.
Mets Trade Justin Verlander To Astros
Mets got the Astros #1 and #4 prospects. Both outfielders.
Drew Gilbert is rated as the Astros best prospect. Their #1 pick from 2022.
Ryan Clifford is rated as their 4th best prospect. Hejust turned 20 and has flown up their prospect list this season. Some are suggesting he might be their best prospect.
Both lefthanded hitters.
Gilbert is at AA and Clifford is at A+.
Gilbert is probably 2 years away and Clifford 3 years away.
Gilbert was rated the 76th best prospect by MLB com at mid season this year.
I would expect Clifford to break into top 100 lists by the end of this season.
Guessing the Mets farm system is suddenly around 5th in MLB. Last I checked, they were in the 15-20 range.
With Ramirez a fringe top 100 prospect, Mauricio playing LF now and a couple other promising young international players at low A levels, the outfield is suddenly well stocked with players for the Mets.
Losing Verlander leaves a huge gap in the rotation. The Mets are going to lose a lot of the remaining games this season and it looks to me as though they decided to try and finish in the bottom 6 so they do not get the 10 slot drop penalty for the Cohen tax for next year. There is a lottery now and nothing is guaranteed but their chances to avoid that penalty just got a lot worse.
No idea how much money the Mets are including in this deal. It would be good if the Astros at least agree to pay half of what Justin is owed.
Bottom line, it is hard to see the Mets making the playoffs next year. No way it happens this season.
I thought the need for starting pitching (and relief pitching) was our biggest need and we got nothing in that area for Scherzer and Verlander. Hope this all works out. At least it appears there are some quality young players heading to the farm system.