Justin Verlander Trade Rumors: Rangers 'Likely' Front-Runner for Mets' Star Pitcher

Just eight months after signing Justin Verlander, the New York Mets could be moving closer to trading the reigning American League Cy Young winner.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, there's a belief within MLB the Mets could deal Verlander in the coming days and the Texas Rangers are considered the "likely" front-runner to land him.

Verlander has a complete control over his potential destination thanks to a no-trade clause in his contract.

Feinsand noted the Rangers pursued Verlander as a free agent last offseason, but he wasn't interested in the club at that time.

"Maybe that's changed with their performance," one executive told Feinsand.

The Rangers have lost four of their last six games, but that followed a six-game winning streak right out of the All-Star break. Their 60-43 record ranks third in the AL behind the Baltimore Orioles (62-40) and Tampa Bay Rays (62-43).

Texas' starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise this season. The unit ranks fifth in MLB with a 3.84 ERA. Nathan Eovaldi is a Cy Young contender with an AL-best 2.69 ERA in 123.2 innings.

The pressure could be mounting on the Rangers front office to make a big splash at the trade deadline. As well as they have been playing, they are only two games ahead of the Houston Astros in the AL West race.

Feinsand cited the Astros and Cincinnati Reds as other potential landing spots for Verlander. The 40-year-old obviously knows Houston very well after spending the past six seasons with the club, winning two World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.

One executive speaking to Feinsand cited the Reds' farm system as being good enough to entice the Mets, and general manager Nick Krall "might be just wild enough to do it."

Verlander has shrugged off a slow start with the Mets and is having another solid season. His ERA is down to 3.24 with 76 strikeouts in 89 innings over 15 starts.