While Aaron Judge is undoubtedly the biggest Major League Baseball free agent on the market this offseason after his historic 2022 season with the New York Yankees, Justin Verlander was one of the top free agents on the market, as well. And after a few months of decision-making, it looks like he’s finally made his free-agent decision.
According to MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN, Justin Verlander will be signing with the New York Mets.
“Right-hander Justin Verlander and the New York Mets are in agreement on a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN,” Passan said in a Tweet on Monday. “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.”
It’s an absolutely massive signing for both Justin Verlander and the New York Mets, and the MLB world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Not a bad deGrom replacement! https://t.co/joTyuzTEGj
— Frank Stampfl (@Roto_Frank) December 5, 2022
The Mets have their ace to replace Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer is reunited with his Detroit Tigers teammate https://t.co/bubVSxHRMa
— Abbey Mastracco (@AbbeyMastracco) December 5, 2022
Justin Verlander's coming to New York!
But not the Bronx. https://t.co/OKnaSXfDV9— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) December 5, 2022
Scherzer and Verlander reunited again, and with much higher salaries. #Mets https://t.co/XtaW3VksaV https://t.co/hrMzwAXtxZ
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) December 5, 2022
This is particularly big news for the Mets after losing longtime ace pitcher Jacob deGrom last week when he signed a free-agency deal with the Texas Rangers.