Verlander: Mets move 'a leap of faith' that 'has paid off'
“I took a leap of faith, and here we are a few weeks later, and I think that leap of faith has paid off,” Verlander said Tuesday during his introductory news conference at Citi Field. Returning from Tommy John surgery in 2020, Verlander went 18-4 with a major league-low 1.75 ERA this year in 28 starts for the Astros. He also got his first win in nine career World Series starts in Game 5 as Houston beat Philadelphia in six games. Verlander, who turns 40 in February, became the 11th player to win the Cy Young Award at least three times. Verlander is guaranteed $43,333,333 in each of the next two seasons, matching Scherzer's annual salary in a $130 million, three-year deal with the Mets through 2024.
wftv.comVerlander: Mets move 'a leap of faith' that 'has paid off'
Justin Verlander had a one word for what convinced him to sign with the New York Mets: “Steve.” As in owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend his hedge-fund fortune to bring the team its first World Series title since 1986. “I took a leap of faith, and here we are a few weeks later, and I think that leap of faith has paid off,” Verlander said Tuesday during his introductory news conference at Citi Field.
news.yahoo.comMets set to shatter payroll records, soar to about $350M
Steve Cohen's New York Mets are on track to shatter spending records in his third season as owner, boosting payroll to about $350 million for purposes of the luxury tax and poised to pay a penalty of about $80 million. New York added veteran starters Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana plus reliever David Robertson and Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga while re-signing center fielder Brandon Nimmo.
news.yahoo.comAP source: Mets, Quintana agree to $26 million, 2-year deal
SAN DIEGO — (AP) — The New York Mets and José Quintana agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract on Wednesday, adding another veteran arm to the team's rotation. New York has been rebuilding its pitching staff following a playoff loss to San Diego in the wild-card round. Ace right-hander Justin Verlander agreed to an $86.7 million, two-year contract with New York on Monday. Quintana played for Pittsburgh and St. Louis last season, going 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA in 32 starts. Quintana also worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings for St. Louis in his lone playoff start, but the Cardinals were eliminated by Philadelphia.
wftv.comAP source: Mets, Quintana agree to $26 million, 2-year deal
The New York Mets and José Quintana agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract on Wednesday, adding another veteran arm to the team's rotation. New York has been rebuilding its pitching staff following a playoff loss to San Diego in the wild-card round. Three members of its rotation became free agents this offseason, and the Mets also had several openings in their bullpen.
news.yahoo.comJustin Verlander, Max Scherzer and then what? Mets still need more pitching
After the news broke — reportedly, deGrom did not give the Mets a chance to match the Rangers' five-year, $185 million offer — Eppler texted him. The Mets will pair Verlander with Max Scherzer, acquired last offseason, to replicate their tantalizing co-ace formula of 2021. Verlander and Scherzer both are outliers on the aging curve, remarkable anomalies defined by their defiance of the decline expected of athletes entering midlife. The point is not that Verlander, or Scherzer for that matter, won’t each be worth the co-AAV record $43.33 million the Mets will pay them next year. Rather, in order for these “impact” pitchers to be at their most impactful in the important moments, the Mets might need to ration their innings.
wftv.comJudge looms; Verlander, Turner deals heat up winter meetings
SAN DIEGO — (AP) — Justin Verlander is going to the New York Mets. Trea Turner has agreed to a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Baseball's first winter meetings since 2019 kicked into high gear Monday when Verlander agreed to an $86.7 million, two-year deal with New York, and Turner joined Philadelphia for a $300 million, 11-year contract. Judge is a free agent after setting an American League record with 62 homers, powering the Yankees to the AL East title. And so we'll wait, we'll wait for this process to play out.”___Follow Jay Cohen at https://twitter.com/jcohenap___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAP source: Verlander agrees to 2-year contract with Mets
SAN DIEGO — (AP) — Justin Verlander agreed to an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets on Monday, reuniting the AL Cy Young Award winner with Max Scherzer and giving the Mets a high-profile replacement for Jacob deGrom. But he made an impressive return this season, becoming the 11th player to win the Cy Young Award at least three times. He won his first Cy Young Award in 2011 and also took home AL MVP honors after going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 34 starts. Verlander agreed to a $66 million contract with Houston covering 2020 and 2021, then hurt his elbow. He also won the 2019 AL Cy Young Award, going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA in 34 starts.
wftv.comReport: Mets reach 2-year deal with Justin Verlander, reigning AL Cy Young winner, days after losing Jacob deGrom
Justin Verlander, the age-defying AL Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion, is reportedly signing with the New York Mets. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports it's a two-year, $86 million deal with a vesting third-year option. The already iconic ace, soon to be 40, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2022 with a 1.75 ERA that earned him his third Cy Young nod and a second championship with the Houston Astros. Verlander, who also has the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year Award and the 2011 AL MVP Award on his mantle, would seem to have few accomplishments left to chase. You could argue that baseball's two most dominant starters — Verlander and Jacob deGrom — hit the market together this winter.
wftv.comWhat to watch at MLB's Winter Meetings: Aaron Judge, shortstops and trade candidates could create a frenzy
Let’s start with five big storylines and five notable trade candidates. The Aaron Judge decisionAs you might’ve heard, AL MVP Aaron Judge, fresh off a 62-homer season in New York Yankees pinstripes, is a free agent. Even franchise player Mookie Betts could move to second base if Judge were to don Dodger blue. Once Judge and Brandon Nimmo choose teams, the Pirates could be well-positioned to capitalize on Reynolds' desire for a change of scenery. … Hoskins would provide much-needed thump for a whole host of teams, while the Phillies have nothing but thump.
wftv.comWhat should the Mets do after Jacob deGrom's move to Rangers? Here are the options, starting with Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon or a bulk buy? Justin Verlander roared back from Tommy John surgery at age 39 to win his third Cy Young and second World Series ring. Right now, the Mets rotation behind Scherzer goes: Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill, David Peterson and Elieser Hernandez. Not committing $35-40 million per year to deGrom might allow them to reel in several options and assemble more depth. Andrew Benintendi, a midseason Yankees addition now on the free agent market, bats lefty and fits the Mets' recent preference for contact hitters.
wftv.comMLB free agents tracker: Ranking Aaron Judge, Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander and baseball's best offseason options
Jacob deGrom, starting pitcher (35)Justin Verlander, starting pitcher (40)Those AAV records aren’t just a bar to watch in the Judge bidding. Chris Bassitt, starting pitcher (34)Nathan Eovaldi, starting pitcher (33)The starting pitching star power drops off pretty quickly in this winter's options. Kodai Senga, starting pitcher (30)Here’s your best source of intrigue on the pitching front if your team isn’t going after deGrom or Verlander. Ross Stripling, starting pitcher (33)Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher (30)Jameson Taillon, starting pitcher (31)We’re thoroughly in the muddy waters of No. Martin Perez, starting pitcher (32) — accepted Rangers' qualifying offer, a 1-year, $19.65 million dealZach Eflin, starting pitcher (29)Jose Quintana, starting pitcher (34)Michael Wacha, starting pitcher (31)In one manner or another, each of these pitchers found something in 2022.
wftv.comVerlander, Alcantara are unanimous Cy Young Award winners
HOUSTON — (AP) — Houston's Justin Verlander in the American League and Miami’s Sandy Alcantara in the National League were both unanimous selections for the Cy Young Award on Wednesday night. The 39-year-old Verlander, who also won the award in 2019 after winning both MVP and the Cy Young in 2011, becomes the 11th player to win it three times. It’s the first Cy Young for the 27-year-old from the Dominican Republic, who becomes the first Marlins player to receive the honor. Alcantara received all 30 first-place votes, the 15th time the NL has had a unanimous winner. He joins Martinez (1997) as the only player born in the Dominican Republic to win the NL award.
wftv.comVerlander declines $25M Astros option, becomes free agent
NEW YORK — (AP) — Justin Verlander declined a $25 million option with the Houston Astros to become a free agent on Thursday, five days after helping the team with its second World Series title. “Really and truly it’s been a hell of a ride no matter what happens, whether I stay or don’t,” he said. Verlander played for Detroit from 2005 until he was traded to the Astros in August 2017. He agreed to a $66 million contract covering 2020 and 2021, then hurt his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. After pitching one game over the previous two seasons, Verlander became a free agent and re-signed with Houston for a $25 million, one-year deal that included the option.
wftv.comVerlander declines $25M Astros option, becomes free agent
Justin Verlander declined a $25 million option with the Houston Astros to become a free agent on Thursday, five days after helping the team with its second World Series title. Verlander was among four players who became free agents Thursday, raising the total to 165. Verlander played for Detroit from 2005 until he was traded to the Astros in August 2017.
news.yahoo.comNew Marlins assistant GM Oz Ocampo sees Miami's potential
MIAMI — (AP) — Oz Ocampo already sees a similarity between the Miami Marlins and the two teams that just played in the World Series. The strength of the Marlins just happens to be starting pitching. The Marlins, he insists, are committed to winning and the pitching depth within the organization gives them a chance to make their plans a reality. “This opportunity, knowing what we have in place and what we need to improve upon ... and that commitment to winning is really exciting,” Ocampo said. The Marlins hired him late last month and he remained with the Astros through the World Series.
wftv.comJudge, Ohtani among 3 finalists for AL MVP award next week
The BBWAA also revealed finalists for the Cy Young Awards, Rookies of the Year and Managers of the Year on Monday night. Balloting was conducted at the conclusion of the regular season, and winners will be announced next week. Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox and Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays are the other AL Cy Young finalists. Miami ace Sandy Alcantara, Atlanta left-hander Max Fried and Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Julio Urías are the top three vote-getters for the NL Cy Young Award. Peña, who won a Gold Glove last week, was the World Series MVP against Philadelphia and the AL Championship Series MVP versus the Yankees.
wftv.comMLB top free agents: Ranking Aaron Judge, Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander and baseball's best offseason options
Jacob deGrom, starting pitcher (35)*Justin Verlander, starting pitcher (40)*Those AAV records aren’t just a bar to watch in the Judge bidding. Chris Bassitt, starting pitcher (34)*Nathan Eovaldi, starting pitcher (33)The starting pitching star power drops off pretty quickly in this winter's options. Kodai Senga, starting pitcher (30)Here’s your best source of intrigue on the pitching front if your team isn’t going after deGrom or Verlander. Ross Stripling, starting pitcher (33)Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher (30)*Jameson Taillon, starting pitcher (31)We’re thoroughly in the muddy waters of No. Martin Perez, starting pitcher (32)Zach Eflin, starting pitcher (29)Jose Quintana, starting pitcher (34)Michael Wacha, starting pitcher (31)In one manner or another, each of these pitchers found something in 2022.
wftv.comAstros' offseason involves Baker contract, free agents
Manager Dusty Baker and general manager James Click aren't yet under contract. FanDuel Sportsbook has the team with the second-best odds to win the 2023 World Series behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 73-year-old Baker won his first title in his 25th season as a major league manager Saturday night when the Astros dispatched Philadelphia in six games. When pressed about his contract status and the future, Baker interjected and said things weren’t uncertain on his end. The 25-year-old hit .400 in the World Series to become the first rookie position player to win the series' MVP award.
wftv.com'I was gonna run through a wall': How two miraculous Astros catches finally gave Justin Verlander his first World Series win
Finally — after going 0-6 in his first eight starts and accumulating a record-high 6.07 ERA — his first win in the World Series. The ball, traveling at an initial speed of 102.4 mph, flew 387 feet with an expected batting average of .690. McCormick, who grew up half an hour away as a die-hard Phillies fan, was suddenly 12 years old again, watching his team lose in the World Series to the Yankees. “That was the closest game of the Series and a really exciting one to win,” said Trey Mancini. His Phillies fan friends and family have found themselves torn so far this World Series, but he guessed the messages were mostly the congratulatory kind.
wftv.comPhillies' bats go cold in crunch time in Game 5 loss
But defensive replacement Trey Mancini snagged the ball from his knees and tapped first base to leave two Phillies runners stranded and end the inning. Tough luck or not, the Phillies' crunch-time flops cost them again in Game 5 on Thursday night. A night after the Phillies became the second team ever to be no-hit in the World Series, a punchless lineup had another meager game after Schwarber led off the game with a home run. Philadelphia’s failures with runners on base led to the 3-2 loss to the Astros and the NL champions are also down 3-2 in the World Series headed into Game 6. The Texans put the score of the World Series on the big screens early and often.
wftv.comVerlander gets World Series win, Astros lead Phillies 3-2
PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Justin Verlander overcame an early jolt to grit out the World Series win that long eluded him, rookie Jeremy Peña hit a go-ahead home run and the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Thursday night to head home with a 3-2 lead. Then Philly's Kyle Schwarber homered leading off the bottom half, harkening to the five-run lead Verlander wasted in Houston's opening 6-5, 10-inning loss. He made a leaping catch at shortstop to foil the Phillies in the third, then regained the lead an inning later with his fourth postseason homer. Jose Altuve drove his second pitch high off the wall in right-center and took third when center fielder Marsh fumbled the pickup for an error. Peña jumped on a hanging curveball in the fourth for his fourth postseason homer, Syndergaard’s 44th and final pitch.
wftv.comSchwarber HR off Verlander ends Astros' hitless streak in WS
PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber put a sudden end to that record-tying hitless streak by Houston pitchers. Schwarber homered on Justin Verlander's second pitch in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday night, a day after four Astros pitchers combined on a no-hitter against Philadelphia. The Astros had held the Phillies hitless for 11 innings dating to Game 3, matching the longest streak in any postseason set by the New York Yankees in 1939. It was a bruising beginning for Verlander, who began the day 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts. Realmuto said manager Rob Thomson didn't dwell on the hitless drought after a 5-0 loss evened the World Series at two games each.
wftv.comJavier, Astros pitch 2nd no-hitter in World Series history
Cristian Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous ballpark as the Astros blanked the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 Wednesday night to even the matchup at two games each.
Alvarez hits 3-run HR vs Ray in 9th, Astros jolt M's in ALDS
Yordan Alvarez smashed a game-ending, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning off Robbie Ray, wrecking Seattle’s strategy of using a Cy Young Award winner in a rare relief role and vaulting the Houston Astros over the Mariners 8-7 in their playoff opener.