The New York Mets lost Jacob deGrom when the Texas Rangers came calling with a five-year contract, but the team was determined to have a super rotation.
With a few top-notch options in free agency and the confidence that having money can give an MLB organization, they patiently negotiated with deGrom and were prepared to pivot when he went elsewhere.
They went out and signed star pitcher Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million contract with a vesting option for a third season.
They already had Max Scherzer in the fold, so their top two may, again, be unmatched in MLB.
Scherzer and Verlander know each other and are friends.
They pitched together for five seasons back in the start of last decade, with the Detroit Tigers.
Unsurprisingly, they were both excellent, just as they have been for their whole careers.
JV and Max are back for round 2. 👀 pic.twitter.com/acwBzrQxUC
— MLB (@MLB) December 9, 2022
Imagine playing in the AL Central from 2010 and 2014 and routinely have to face these two.
Each won a Cy Young with a Tigers uniform, and Verlander added an MVP award in that marvelous 2011 season.
They Led The Tigers Rotation For Five Years
Together, they lead the Tigers rotation to a World Series in 2012, but they found a hot San Francisco Giants team and were no match.
Still, Tigers fans enjoyed these two together for five seasons.
Now, the Mets were able to reunite them in Queens.
They remain as good as ever: perhaps a bit more injury-prone, but still dominating when healthy.
Scherzer posted a 2.29 ERA in 2022 and could have competed for the NL Cy Young award had he thrown more innings.
Verlander, on the other hand, did win the American League Cy Young with the Houston Astros thanks to his MLB-best 1.75 ERA in 175 frames.
The Mets rotation is in good hands with these two.
NEXT: The Mets Are Illustrating A Frustrating MLB Salary Fact