New York Mets sign Justin Verlander to two-year contract
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has signed a free-agent contract with the New York Mets, as confirmed Monday by his brother, Ben Verlander. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the contract is for two years and $86 million and includes an option for 2025.
Verlander won his third Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros after going 18-4 and posting a career-best 1.75 ERA and striking out 185 batters over 175 innings.
The 39-year-old Verlander led the majors in ERA after missing almost all of the previous two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. He became the fourth AL pitcher with two unanimous Cy Young victories, joining Roger Clemens (1986, 1998), Pedro Martinez (1999, 2000) and Johan Santana (2004, 2006).
Verlander led the Astros to the best record in the AL, and while the postseason doesn't count for the award, he got his first career World Series win in Game 5 as Houston beat Philadelphia in six games.
Jordan Shusterman wrote this about Verlander, whom he ranked the No. 8 free agent, in November:
Committing huge money to pitchers will always be riskier than hitters, and especially this trio of arms. Verlander has proven the most durable, but he turns 40 in February and can't maintain this standard for that much longer … right? Maybe he can!
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