The market for New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander is hot at the moment.
The Mets know he is one of the most valuable commodities of the deadline because even though he is 40, he has an enormous track record of success and is pitching like an ace for the moment.
The pitcher himself has said he prefers to stay in New York, but the Mets are going nowhere this year and already traded Max Scherzer.
It makes sense for them to move Verlander if there is an offer they can’t refuse.
So far, the Houston Astros are reportedly the favorites to land him, or were until things cooled off.
The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers could also be fits, and the Baltimore Orioles make sense, too, if he approves a trade there.
A mystery team also surged in recent hours.
It was revealed by insider Jon Heyman that the San Diego Padres are the mystery team looking to add Verlander.
The Padres have been "uncovered" as a "mystery team" in on Justin Verlander, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/DXvrhpL6Bm
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 1, 2023
It’s actually quite shocking to see the Padres looking to add Verlander, but it says a lot of their drive to win.
Fans, of course, reacted to the news on Twitter.
Most of them implied they didn’t understand Verlander wanting to move from one franchise with a losing record and slim odds to another.
One losing team to the next. JV looking for a retirement home in Del Mar
— . (@TopherTechs) August 1, 2023
Others made hilarious comparisons between the Padres’ way of pursuing star players and regular people betting on baseball.
@hersheykitzes padres gm is just like us. Loses three parlays in a row, doubles down for a 4th lol
— Dylan Whitcher (@dylanwhitcher) August 1, 2023
The fact remains the 52-55 Padres have a lot of work to do to contend, but they think they can pull it off even if fans don’t necessarily see it that way.
Preller thinks he can make Friedman sweat ? other way around buddy
— ROB ?? (@JustAKidFromPR) August 1, 2023
The Padres are in the market and are likely to make at least one trade before the deadline hits.
NEXT: MLB Insider Reveals Major Padres Trade Deadline Update
