The New York Mets made a huge splash in free agency on Monday, signing American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million contract.
The deal also includes a vesting option for the 2025 season.
The 39-year-old joins his former Detroit Tigers teammate Max Scherzer at the top of the Mets rotation.
After missing the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, the veteran right-hander came back in style, winning 18 games and posting an MLB-best 1.75 ERA.
That was also enough to earn him the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Combined, Verlander and Scherzer cost roughly $86.3 million, according to betting analyst Adam Burke.
That will likely cost the Mets more than the 2023 Opening Day payrolls of eight teams.
Scherzer + Verlander ($86.3M) will probably cost more than the 2023 Opening Day payrolls of eight teams.
— Adam Burke (@SkatingTripods) December 5, 2022
Mets Set To Pay A Fortune For Verlander
Fortunately for the Mets, this isn’t too big of an issue, as owner Steve Cohen has the financial resources necessary to cover the cost.
Still, it goes to show the vast difference of the markets that certain teams play in.
By playing in New York City, the Mets have plenty of resources.
This obviously helps them as they prepare to pay Verlander $86 million over the next two seasons.
But even that likely won’t stop Cohen from going out and attempting to add some other pieces for 2023.
The Mets are paying a significant amount of money to both Scherzer and Verlander, though, both of whom are in the latter stages of their careers.
The Mets have made a statement with their latest signing.
The Hot Stove is getting hotter just in time for the Winter Meetings.
NEXT: MLB World Reacts To The Justin Verlander News