Houston Astros Still in Trade Mix for Mets Ace Verlander

Anything is possible with the MLB trade deadline looming, but former Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander’s brother Ben won’t say a word… yet.

Being the brother of baseball great Justin Verlander is something Ben Verlander has grown accustomed to.

Especially considering Ben, too, is famous in his own right — as both a former player and current podcast host and FOX sports analyst.

With speculation abound and social media abuzz about a possible reunion between the Houston Astros and current New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander, his brother Ben was rather mum about the subject on Twitter early Sunday morning.

I could post a photo of a singular egg right now and the comments would still be about 99% Astros fans asking if Justin is going back to Houston. pic.twitter.com/vKCEgm6Cn2

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 30, 2023

Funny, Ben.

After Mets' All-Star Max Scherzer was shipped off to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 21-year-old prospect Luisangel Acuña, one can only speculate that it could cost Houston just a couple of minor league prospects to make this trade happen.

Sure, there are underlying circumstances that could prevent the deal from happening, such as contractual issues regarding a clause about innings pitched in 2024.

"The Mets are also working on a deal with the Astros, who would love to have Verlander back" per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/aprKaGQKlH

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) July 30, 2023

Many Houston fans would rejoice at Verlander returning to the Astros starting rotation, especially considering the voids needed to be filled due to injuries sustained in 2023.

Granted, the Houston brass could have just re-signed Verlander outright this past offseason without giving up prospects, but to make a long story short: it is what it is.

No one expected Scherzer to be traded to Texas, and no one expected the Mets to be terrible this season, but this is where things stand as of July 31 -- just one days before the deadline.

Yes, Houston general manager Dana Brown has expressed as early as Sunday morning that the Astros are no longer in the market for a starting pitcher -- but that could easily change between now and Tuesday.

In fact, The New York Post's Jon Heyman still has the Astros pegged as one of the top teams still engaged in a possible move for Verlander. 

Many teams are showing interest in Justin Verlander. The Astros are one of those teams but with no prospects in the top 100 they have that hurdle. Verlander has suggested he will consider accepting teams committed to winning in near-term.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2023

Regardless of what transpires as Monday night quickly approaches, one thing is certain: it’s going to be a very exciting next 36 hours.

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