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3 Justin Verlander trade packages Billy Eppler can’t refuse
The New York Mets are in sellers mode with the trades of David Robertson and Max Scherzer. Among the options the team has most intriguing case is Justin Verlander, who pitched well again on Sunday and has a 1.59 ERA in his last seven outings.
According to Andy Martino, the Mets are keeping the possibility of making a trade for Verlander open, but the sense in the industry is that he would remain with the team after the trade deadline. Within the offers that may arise, there are three trade packages that Billy Eppler could not say no to in a Verlander trade.
The Mets could not say no to a trade for Drew Gilbert and Forrest Whitley from the Houston Astros
The case of a Justin Verlander trade is complex due to its financial cost and the full no-trade clause attached to his contract. This no-trade clause makes negotiations hard because Verlander would have to agree with where he would go and under what conditions.
However, if his destination is the city of Houston, he would have no problem accepting a trade for his old team. The problem with the Astros is finding common ground because the organization's farm system does not have as much depth as it once did.
If we take a similar scenario as the Max Scherzer trade as a reference, it is easy to understand that Verlander has an even higher value in the market. This means the Mets would demand an even greater return if they decide to trade their ace.
In this case, Drew Gilbert, the No. 1 prospect in the Astros organization, along with Forrest Whitley, the No. 19 prospect, would be a package the Mets could not resist. Gilbert, the No. 69 prospect in all of baseball, is a compact size player with high-contact skills to get the ball into play and raw power in his swing speed on the bases.
Whitley is a former first round pick in the 2016 draft who has seen his value drop due to a lack of command and control. Whitley, however, continues to display an electrifying 100-mph fastball and good movement on the rest of the three pitches that complete his arsenal but his lack of command has affected his career results.
With Glbert and Whitley, the Mets would strengthen their farm system with two great prospects who could debut around 2025 with the team and be impact players in MLB. A trade of this caliber would not make Billy Eppler hesitate.
The Mets could make a blockbuster trade with the Dodgers
One team applying as a trade fit partner for Justin Verlander's services is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have the depth of the farm system to properly pay for Verlander without sacrificing too much.
The Dodgers' desire to have Verlander comes from before since they were in the bid to sign him before he decided to agree with the Mets. Likewise, the fact that they were in negotiations tips the balance towards Verlander accepting a trade to this team.
The desire of both parties would facilitate the negotiations and allow the Mets to demand a good return for Verlander. A two-pitcher package like Gavin Stone plus Maddux Bruns would be what the Mets would be looking for as a return for Verlander.
Stone, the No. 4 prospect in the Dodgers organization and No. 48 in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, is an arm with great potential, being able to be an immediate frontline starter. The pitcher has already made his MLB debut but failed to display his best arsenal consisting of a fastball that hits 98 mph and a change-up considered one of the best in the entire minor league circuit.
Bruns is a Class A+ prospect considered the No. 14 prospect in the Dodgers organization. Bruns possesses three potentially deadly pitches with a fastball that travels 98 mph and a swing-and-miss curveball and slider. The only thing preventing Bruns from being a top 100 prospect is his lack of timing in his mechanics and delivery, which he can adjust over time since he is only 21 years old.
These two prospects would give a boost to the Mets' farm system by filling a high need for pitchers. The offer would be just what the Mets would look for in a Verlander trade, especially if they receive an MLB-ready pitcher like Gavin Stone.
The Mets can generate a huge boost to their farm system in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles
Among the teams in need of starting pitching, the Baltimore Orioles emerges as one that would be interested in Justin Verlander at the right price. A trade with the Orioles would be very complex for the Mets.
First, the team would have to convince Justin Verlander to accept a trade to the Orioles organization, which would be difficult due to the city and its possible doubts about the level of competition. On the other hand, the Mets would have to assume and sacrifice more financial resources in a trade with Baltimore because it is not a big market team looking to spend a lot of money.
Taking on more resources on a Verlander trade would force the Mets to demand an even bigger return. In this sense, the Mets can demand two outfield prospects that would make the Mets' farm system a top 5 in the league.
If the Mets can convince Verlander to go to Baltimore, the team could get Heston Kjerstad and Jud Fabian. Both outfielders from the Orioles system with great skills at the plate.
Kjerstad would undoubtedly be the headline player of this package for Verlander. The Orioles' Triple-A outfielder is the No. 4 prospect in the organization and No. 36 in all of MLB. Kjerstad is a corner outfielder with more power-over-hitting and great arm power on defense.
Fabian is a Double-A corner outfielder for the Orioles. Fabian has an elite bat speed with the ability to generate top-of-the-class power with the tradeoff that he also generated a lot of swing and miss.
In a trade package with the Orioles', the Mets could get their 2024 Opening Day left field and a prospect who could debut as early as 2025 as a possible replacement for Starling Marte. This is a return that Billy Eppler would be happy to accept for Justin Verlander.
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