For talented MLB veterans, short-term deals with a high average annual value (AAV) are in demand.
When we say “short-term”, it’s usually between one and three years.
Max Scherzer did it last season, and this time, it’s Justin Verlander.
The New York Mets will reportedly sign him to a two-year, $86 million contract.
The deal is just short of Scherzer’s record AAV of $43.3 million, established last season.
The pact includes a vesting option for a third season, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Verlander to Mets. $86M 2 years. Vesting option 3rd year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2022
Scherzer is 38 and Verlander is 39, so naturally, there are lots of jokes on Twitter at the moment.
Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer reunited and watching from the dugout this season pic.twitter.com/rvxUshrREV
— D.J. Short (@djshort) December 5, 2022
The Mets Rebounded Nicely After Losing deGrom
After securing the services of Verlander, the Mets’ rotation is looking much, much better, but it can still use a couple of pitchers for depth.
The Mets' rotation as it currently stands:
1. Max Scherzer
2. Justin Verlander
3. Carlos Carrasco
4. David Peterson
5. Tylor MegillThe team is expected to remain involved in the starting pitching market and add an additional arm.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 5, 2022
It’s important to remember that they lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers and Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker are free agents.
Despite the high amount of money owed to Scherzer and Verlander, the Mets are only responsible for their salary for the next two years.
Instead, the Rangers’ deal seems more risky because they handed an injury-prone deGrom in his mid-thirties a five-year pact.
Want to clarify that signing Justin Verlander is a better investment than Jacob deGrom.
— Ryan Garcia (In the Lab🧪) (@RyanGarciaESM) December 5, 2022
Instead of giving $185 million over the next five years to Jacob deGrom, the Mets will pay roughly $172 million over the next two years to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, who are basically both 40. Somehow the deGrom deal is more reckless. https://t.co/uTaKGDmWhQ
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) December 5, 2022
Verlander is fresh off winning the American League Cy Young award with the Houston Astros, after finishing the 2022 campaign with a 1.75 ERA in 175 frames.
He also posted an elite 0.83 WHIP.
He was basically deGrom but with a full workload in 2022, and is an excellent replacement for their departing star.
According to Pitcher List’s Alex Fast, there are currently 13 teams with a combined payroll of less than $86 million, which is the projected salary of both Scherzer and Verlander in Queens.
Seager + deGrom + Semien: 91.5 million
Scherzer + Verlander: ~$86 millionTeams CURRENTLY under $86 million in '23 payroll:
BOS, ARI, WSN, MIN, CIN, MIA, MIL, TB, KC, PIT, CLE, BAL, OAK
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) December 5, 2022
This signing is just fascinating from various points of view.
NEXT: The Mets Made Sure To Honor A Departing Jacob deGrom