With nine days to go before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, it’s not just Shohei Ohtani who is at the heart of the rumors.
So does New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander. On Saturday, MLB Network learned that the San Francisco Giants would like to get their hands on the 40-year-old veteran.
The latter, however, has a non-movement clause and should therefore give his approval to move to the Californian team.
Verlander is playing his first season with the Mets, having signed a lucrative two-year contract worth $86.7 million last offseason. The deal also includes a $35 million option for 2025.
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The three-time Cy Young Trophy winner is 4-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 14 starts so far in 2023.
The Mets, who have spent lavishly to attract free agents, are having a very bad year. Heading into Sunday’s major league matchup, they were 46-52 and ranked fourth in the National’s East Division.
For their part, the Giants are third in the West of the same League, and this, by virtue of a record of 54-45. They also hold the second “Wild Card” spot to advance to the playoffs.