After Justin Verlander hold the Nationals to one run across 5⅓ innings with five strikeouts to win his sixth game of the season, the Mets ace’s attention was turned toward his future with the team and the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
Verlander’s home is in question after the Mets dealt Max Scherzer to the Rangers on Sunday after shipping closer David Robertson to the Marlins last Thursday.
The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner is in his first season of a two-year, $86.66 million deal with the Mets. Verlander also has a $35 million vesting option for 2025 if he pitches 140 innings next season.
After missing the first month of the season with a teres major strain, Verlander has been one of the Mets’ most dependable starters. He has also a no-trade clause in his contract and would need to approve any trade that Billy Eppler and the Mets’ front office makes.
“I’m committed to trying to win a championship here, but if the organization decides that that’s not exactly the direction that they think is best fit to go for next year and go for it again, then yeah, I would be more open to it”, said Verlander.
