Mets work quickly with Justin Verlander deal, replace one risk-reward arm with another

Jacob deGrom had spent his entire nine-year career with the Mets until signing a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers last week. The two-time NL Cy Young award winner is often thought of as the best starting pitcher in MLB when healthy.

deGrom's health has been an issue, however, especially in the last two seasons. He's been limited to 156 1/3 innings pitched and 26 starts over the 2021 and 2022 campaigns combined.

Verlander, meanwhile, was one of the most durable arms during his days with the Detroit Tigers from 2005-17, recording at least 30 starts in 10 of 11 seasons from 2006 through 2016. He made 28 more starts with the club before he was sent to the Houston Astros at the 2017 trade deadline.

The nine-time All-Star continued his dominance while staying healthy over his first two full seasons with Houston and earned his second AL Cy Young award in 2019. Verlander was limited to just one start during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign and missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Verlander recovered and headed the Astros elite starting rotation in 2022 by either leading or being tied for the league lead in wins (18), ERA (career-low 1.75) and WHIP (0.82), among other categories, on his way to his third AL Cy Young honor. Verlander also won his second World Series title this fall.

The 39-year-old spoke candidly during Houston's championship run about his desire to pitch into his 40s and the Mets will give him that chance.