Mets’ Justin Verlander ponders future after winning 250th game in final start before trade deadline – The Denver Post

Making his final start before the fast-approaching trade deadline, the Mets’ Justin Verlander demonstrated once again Sunday how he could help a contender — and joined an exclusive MLB club in the process.

The 40-year-old right-hander picked up his 250th career win, holding the Washington Nationals to one run over 5.1 innings in the Mets’ 5-2 victory at Citi Field. Verlander exited to a standing ovation from a home crowd wondering if he had just pitched his last game for New York.

The strong outing came a day after the Mets sent co-ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, establishing them as full-blown sellers before Tuesday’s deadline. The blockbuster move left Verlander pondering his own future, he said after Sunday’s game.

“When you see that happen, you can’t help but think, ‘What’s in store for next year?’ We play this game to win,” Verlander said. “You want to win a championship and you want to have the opportunity to do so. It changes my opinion a little bit, yeah. It’s tough to see it happen.”

Verlander, who improved to 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA this season, would be one of the top starting pitchers on the trade market if the Mets make him available. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has pitched to a 1.49 ERA over his last seven starts. His 16 playoff wins are the second-most in MLB history.

Trading Verlander comes with complications, considering he has a no-trade clause, is owed $43.3 million in 2024 and has a $35 million vesting option for 2025 that goes into effect if he pitches 140 innings next year. The Mets managed to navigate Scherzer’s similarly complex contract, with the right-hander waiving his no-trade clause and picking up his 2024 player option to facilitate the move to Texas.

Before Sunday’s game, general manager Billy Eppler insisted the Mets (50-55) aren’t rebuilding but said they would listen to offers for their players. Asked if Verlander was among them, he declined to comment.

“I’m just the type of person that likes to gather information,” Verlander said. “No idea who’s interested, what’s going on, who Billy has been speaking with. … Just an open communication with the front office and see what their plans are for me, for the organization.”

The Mets, who remain outside of the playoff picture despite the highest payroll in MLB history, also traded closer David Robertson to the Marlins last week.

Verlander said his stance on being traded “largely depends on how the organization views next year.”

“I think [trading] Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it,” Verlander said. “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.”

Sunday’s game concluded the Mets’ four-game series against the Nationals, which was largely overshadowed by the swirling trade rumors. Verlander ran into early trouble, allowing back-to-back singles to CJ Abrams and Jeimer Candelario to begin the game. The lone run against Verlander came during that opening frame when Abrams stole home.

Verlander settled in from there, striking out five and retiring 16-of-19 Washington batters at one point. He became the 49th pitcher to win 250 games.

“It’s a moment that you kind of have to take a step back and appreciate,” Verlander said. “This is one of those for me. It’s a pretty cool accomplishment. A lot of blood, sweat and tears and sacrifice has gone into getting here.”

Francisco Lindor hit a solo home run during a 3-for-4 performance Sunday, while Pete Alonso picked up two RBI. New York won three of the four games against the Nationals, who fell to 44-62 and are in last place in the NL East.

Up next for the Mets is a three-game series in Kansas City, which begins Tuesday. Jose Quintana is scheduled to pitch against Royals veteran Zack Greinke, who is 1-11 with a 5.49 ERA.

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