When the New York Mets signed Justin Verlander to a massive two-year, $86.7 million contract last offseason, they envisioned that he and Max Scherzer would be the best one-two starting pitching punch in the league.
That did not happen.
The Mets had a disastrous year and ultimately decided to sell off many of their assets at the trade deadline.
Verlander was among those shipped elsewhere, returning outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford in a deal with the Houston Astros.
New York is looking to put that difficult season behind them this year, but not by going out and buying up other players, but by being strategic under their new president of baseball operations David Stearns.
They spent this winter adding players on short-term contracts that helped build depth across the roster, but will also allow the coaching staff and front office to evaluate the prospects who will get more playing time in 2024.
Once the season ends, many expect the Mets to be aggressive in the free agent market once again when some of the high-priced contracts come off their books.
They're hoping that is the case with Verlander.
If the 41-year-old legend pitches 140 innings or more this year, then New York will be on the hook for $17.5 million out of his $35 million vesting option in 2025.
That's why the Mets got some big news when it was announced Verlander would begin the year on the injured list with a shoulder issue that is preventing him from pitching on Opening Day.
Of course, nobody roots for injuries.
But New York would get a huge boost if Verlander isn't able to reach the 140 innings threshold that would cause them to shell out another chunk of cash to someone no longer on their team.
For reference, the right-hander also began 2023 on the injured list and wasn't activated until May.
He still finished with 162 1/3 innings pitched across his 27 starts.
So, it's very likely that the Mets will eventually have to pay that $17.5 million in 2025, but they can hold out hope that Verlander isn't quite the ironman this season like he has been in the past.
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