Is Opportunist $86M Justin Verlander Actually Returning to Houston as Astros Close In on AL West?

As the transfer deadline nears, teams across the League will look to strengthen their bid for a postseason. And with the rumor mill swelling, a New York Mets ace, Justin Verlander, might be set for a return that few fans saw coming when the season began. Meanwhile, fans of both franchises involved in the exchange made their feelings known on social media.

The New York Mets have done it again. Despite boasting a vaunted lineup that was the envy of several across MLB, the Mets are currently 7.0 games behind the last NL Wild Card spot. And as the trade deadline looms, some changes are on the horizon. But could they handle a loss of Verlander?

Are New York Mets Looking to Offload Ace Justin Verlander?

As the latest rumors suggest, the New York Mets may look to offload the 2022 AL Cy Young Award Winner. Verlander has not been his usual self this season. Allowing a 3.24 ERA and only 76 strikeouts this season, the pitcher may catch the ageing bug. And the current World Series Champions are looking to take advantage of it.

Per the MLB Insider, Hector Gomez, the Houston Astros may have launched a bid to recapture the ace after securing a World Series win with the franchise in 2022.

Verlander signed on with the New York Mets in free agency. Signed on a lucrative $86 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets Verlander could also potentially have a player option for 2025. Looking to secure their mound rotation with Max Scherzer and Verlander in charge, things looked safe for the Mets before the season began.

However, with the Mets below 0.500 this season with almost 100 games played so far, the experiment seems to have run its course.

Read More: Justin Verlander Reveals the Challenges of Sharing Opening Day Duty With New York Mets Ace Max Scherzer

And while Mets fans could see a pitcher relieved, it did not enthuse Astros fans about the acquisition.

Fans React to Emerging News of Verlander trade in the offing

While the New York Mets may lose the star ace, Astros fans aren’t too excited about acquiring the services of their star pitcher either. Having declined to re-sign in a free agency in 2022, the prospect of having to give up trade assets for the star was a troubling possibility for the Astros.

The prospect delighted Mets fans, on the other hand.

Understandably, the Houston Astros faithful were surprised at the sheer loss they would take on such a trade.

But what do you think? Should Verlander head back to the Astros? Or does he have a stronger chance of making it to the post-season from the Citi Field mound? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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