Report: Astros reunite with Justin Verlander in trade deadline blockbuster

Justin Verlander must have really, really loved his time in Houston. After just 16 starts as a New York Met, the three-time Cy Young winner has reportedly waived his full no-trade clause and accepted a deal sending him back to the Astros:

Per several reports, Houston is sending two of its best prospects, including top-100 outfielder Drew Gilbert, back to Queens. We don’t yet know how much of the remaining money on Verlander’s contract the Mets will pick up.

After a deeply disappointing first half from the most expensive team money can buy, New York GM Billy Eppler moved quickly to retool for 2024, shipping David Robertson, Max Scherzer and Mark Canha off in rapid succession over the last few days. At that point, all eyes turned to Verlander, who at age 40 still had another guaranteed year on his deal at more than $40 million and a vesting option for 2025 — making him a less-than-ideal fit for a Mets team looking to regain some financial and roster flexibility.

Of course, despite his age, Verlander has been excellent on the mound of late, with a 2.38 ERA since the start of June. And once it became clear that the Mets were open to moving him, the future Hall of Famer drew plenty of interest from contenders, including the Astros, Dodgers and Padres. With a no-trade clause in his contract, though, Verlander held all the cards, and in the end he decided that he wanted to return to the team he starred with (and won two World Series rings with) from 2017 to 2022.

Injuries to Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jose Urquidy and a disappointing first half from Cristian Javier left Houston’s rotation a bit thinner than in years past. With Verlander in tow and Urquidy set to return this week, though — not to mention AL Cy Young contender Framber Valdez and promising rookies Hunter Brown and J.P. France — the Astros are looking primed to defend their World Series title. Houston enters plays on Tuesday having won eight of their last 12 to cut the Texas Rangers’ lead in the AL West to a half-game.

Drew Gilbert, Ryan Clifford scouting reports

Obviously no one expected this Mets team to be in this position come the trade deadline, but give Eppler credit: He’s navigated this sell-off quite well. After coming away with promising pieces in New York’s first three deals, he’s done it again here, landing a consensus top-100 prospect in Gilbert.

A monster junior year at the University of Tennessee got Gilbert drafted 28th overall by Houston in last year’s draft. He’s not the biggest dude at just 5’9, but don’t be fooled: The lefty takes what’s known in scouting circles as “big daddy hacks”, looking to do maximum damage on pull-side fly balls.

The 22-year-old has tools for days, with plus bat speed, enough foot speed to stick in center and a very strong arm should he have to slide over to right as he matures. He’s just a really good all-around athlete, with a swing geared for the modern game, and while he’s struggled a bit in his first taste of Double-A this summer — he’s slashed .241/.342/.371 with six homers and six steals across his first 60 games — he’s also walked nearly as often as he’s struck out. There’s nothing we’ve seen to suggest that the approach and bat control shouldn’t be good enough to get a lot of his raw power into games, making him among the most intriguing hitters in the Minors.

Clifford, meanwhile, is far more than just a throw-in. He’s not the athlete Gilbert is — at 6’3, 200 pounds, he’s already splitting time between left field and first base — but he too has a lefty swing that can do a ton of damage. He’s hit well in the Minors ever since being drafted in the 11th round last year, slashing .291/.399/.520 with 18 bombs in 83 games across Single-A and High-A this season. The lack of defensive value puts really pressure on his ability to hit, and we’ve yet to see the hit tool tested against high-Minors pitching, but if it clicks, look out.