JUSTIN VERLANDER

Which MLB team has the best starting rotation in baseball? The FOX Sports’ baseball staff weighed in with their picks.

“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.

Justin Verlander says owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend his hedge-fund fortune on building a World Series-contender is the reason he joined the New York Mets.

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.

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander are reaping the benefits of his World Series win in addition to his new two-year $86 million deal with the New York Mets, in St. Barts.

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander are reaping the benefits of his World Series win in addition to his new two-year $86 million deal with the New York Mets, in St. Barts.

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.

Dusty Baker finally got his elusive championship with the Houston Astros, garnering his first World Series ring in 25 years as a manager in one of the most memorable moments of the year in sports.

Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets have agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With several of the MLB's top free agents still on the open market, the FOX Sports staff revealed what they're most looking forward to from the 2022 Winter Meetings.

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.

With several of the MLB's top free agents still on the open market, the FOX Sports staff revealed what they're most looking forward to from the 2022 Winter Meetings.

A person familiar with the negotiations says Justin Verlander has agreed to an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets.

Mere days after losing Jacob deGrom, the Mets signed reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to a two-year deal. What does this bold move mean for them — and the Astros?

Justin Verlander has made the latest splash in MLB free agency, signing a two-year deal with the Mets. Here are the details.

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.

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.

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.

The Astros won the 2022 World Series and currently don't have a general manager. Ace Justin Verlander is a free agent. What could they do this winter?

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.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Thursday that Major League Baseball is looking into potentially improper communication between the New York Mets and Yankees regarding star free agent Aaron Judge.

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.

Justin Verlander is now one of 11 pitchers in MLB history to win three Cy Young Awards. He and Sandy Alcantara were given the honor on Wednesday night.

Houston’s Justin Verlander in the American League and Miami’s Sandy Alcantara in the National League are both unanimous selections for the Cy Young Award.

The 2022 free-agent class has quite a few top pitchers, including Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander. We rank the top 20 and project some potential teams.

Five days after helping lead the Houston Astros to a World Series title, Justin Verlander opted out of the last year of his deal.

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.

Justin Verlander has declined a $25 million option with the Houston Astros to become a 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.

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.

Oz Ocampo already sees a similarity between the Miami Marlins and the two teams that just played in the World Series.

FOX Bet has released World Series title odds for next season, and MLB Betting Analyst Edward Egros offers up his three best futures bets to make now.

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.

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez are the finalists for American League MVP in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

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.

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.

The Houston Astros just won their second World Series in six years and have been a consistent presence in the playoffs.

Aaron Judge, Edwin Díaz, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were among 131 players who became free agents as baseball’s business season began just hours after the final out of the World Series.

Houston Astros star Justin Verlander and his model wife Kate Upton celebrated the World Series victory on Saturday night. Upton crashed the FOX set.

Edward Egros, aka The Professor, is here with Super 6 picks and his best bets for Game 6 of the World Series.

Dusty Baker has been here before.

How do you stop a team of destiny, one that has been through so much and believes in itself so intently that it is beginning to feel invincible? Houston just showed how.

Here's how to watch the Astros take on the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

Chas McCormick made the play of his life in Game 5 of the World Series, right after Trey Mancini saved a lead with his own standout play. We talked to both Astros.

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.

Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick and fill-in first baseman Trey Mancini both made key defensive plays in the late innings that helped preserve a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series.

The Astros held off the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series to take a 3-2 series lead. Here are Ben Verlander's takeaways.

After getting the win in a World Series game for the first time in his career, Justin Verlander caught up with his brother, Flippin' Bats host Ben Verlander.

Houston moved to the brink of its second championship - the other was a scandal-tainted crown in 2017.

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.

The Philadelphia Phillies continued to struggle in the clutch in a 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the World Series.

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.

The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the 2022 World Series on FOX. Here are the top plays!

Justin Verlander had struggled to find World Series success throughout his legendary career. Thursday, the Astros starter pitched a gem.

Justin Verlander had struggled to find World Series success throughout his legendary career. Thursday, the Astros starter pitched a gem.

Justin Verlander had struggled to find World Series success throughout his legendary career. Thursday, the Astros starter pitched a gem.

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 to head home with a 3-2 lead.

The Citizens Bank Park crowd was no match for the Houston Astros, who are now one win away from their second World Series championship since 2017.

The Houston Astros are taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the 2022 World Series on FOX. Here are the top plays!

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.

Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber put a sudden end to that record-tying hitless streak by Houston pitchers.

The Houston Astros are taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the 2022 World Series on FOX. Here are the top plays!

Justin Verlander has a very tough act to follow.

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.

Phillies fans had to hand it to Justin Verlander.

Game 3 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros has been postponed because of rain with the matchup tied 1-1, pushing the entire Fall Classic schedule back one day.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t born in Houston, but he sure loves it now.

Framber Valdez made a five-run lead stand up after Houston’s lightning first-inning burst, Alex Bregman homered and the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 to tie the World Series at one game apiece.

The Astros and Phillies travel Friday to Texas, where Game 6 of the World Series will be played a night later.

Kyle Tucker got the fans jumping with a leadoff homer in the second inning.

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Even with a 5-0 lead, Justin Verlander couldn’t get his first World Series win.

Aaron Nola was nowhere near perfect for the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston for Game 1 of the World Series.

That is the real Chas McCormick playing center field for the Houston Astros in the World Series.

Justin Verlander remains in search of his first World Series win after going 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven Series starts.

Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies are set to play the Houston Astros in the World Series.

Alex Bregman hit an early three-run homer, Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and the Houston Astros edged the New York Yankees 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Justin Verlander struck out 11 in six strong innings and Yuli Gurriel, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Peña all homered to power the Houston Astros to a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees in their AL Championship Series opener.

Major League Baseball views expanded playoffs as the more the merrier.

Houston Astros star Jose Altuve has long been a postseason powerhouse.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge staggered Cleveland with early homers, and the New York Yankees rocked past the Guardians 5-1 in the decisive Game 5 of their AL Division Series to set up another rematch with Houston for the pennant.

Astros starters Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia look like naturals on the mound, but they've gotten an artificial boost from the barber shop.

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.

Astros reliever Phil Maton says he broke his right pinkie when he punched a locker in frustration after Houston’s regular-season finale and will miss the postseason.

When Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, it will have been almost three years since his last playoff appearance.

Minnesota’s Luis Arraez finished with the lowest average for an American League batting champion since 1968, and the Mets’ Jeff McNeil won the National League title.

The entire Major League Baseball playoff picture is now set.

Justin Verlander and the Houston bullpen have not allowed a hit through eight innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Aaron Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros Monday night.

Dansby Swanson and Matt Olson homered off Max Scherzer, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a crucial 4-2 victory over the New York Mets and a one-game lead in the NL East.

Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies hoped to be in this position.

The Houston Astros clinched their fifth AL West title in six years, getting a leadoff home run from Jose Altuve in a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols could make this a milestone week for home runs.

Yordan Alvarez homered in his first three at-bats, Justin Verlander threw five hitless innings in his return from the injured list and the Houston Astros clinched a postseason berth with a 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have made their 325th career start together, setting a major league record for most as a battery.

Mike Trout homered in his sixth straight game to set an Angels franchise record, Shohei Ohtani threw five solid innings before exiting because of a blister and Los Angeles beat the Houston Astros 6-1.