VERLANDER AN ASTRO AGAIN!
The Houston Astros acquired pitcher Justin Verlander and cash from the New York Mets for outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.
What does it give the Houston Astros
The Astros bring back their former ace as they look to repeat as World Series champions. Verlander had left for the Mets in free agency, but he will now rejoin a stacked starting rotation in Houston. The 40-year-old opened the year on the injured list, and his elite numbers of recent seasons have dipped somewhat, but a return to Houston should do him well. The Mets will pay a significant portion of his salary, and the trade positions the Astros well for another deep playoff run.
What does it give the New York Mets
The Mets spent big on Verlander and Max Scherzer this past off-season, but the year did not go according to plan. It hurts to lose Verlander, but New York does bring in two of Houston's top prospects. Both Gilbert and Clifford are left-handed hitting outfielders, respectively the No. 1 and No. 4 ranked prospects in the Astros organization (per MLB.com). Gilbert was a first-round pick in 2022 and is a toolsy player already in Double-A ball. Clifford is the better power hitter of the two.
Fantasy impact
Verlander has been effective but not a top-tier fantasy starter this season. A return to Minute Maid Park could get him back in that territory. For that to happen, he will need to get his strikeout rate up and his walk rate down, which is no guarantee. Gilbert and Clifford are names to watch for in keeper leagues, even if they are a few seasons away from debuting in the majors.
