Mets Trade Rumors: Max Scherzer 'Less Likely to Move' Compared to Justin Verlander

With the trade of David Robertson to the Miami Marlins on Thursday night, the New York Mets signaled to the rest of the league that they will be sellers ahead of this year's Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline. And their two star pitchers, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, have been receiving varying levels of interest.

It's believed that that the former is much less likely to be moved this year, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Martino reported Friday that Scherzer is looking like a less attractive trade chip, as teams that have scouted him have "been less than impressed with the quality of his stuff."

In his second season in the Big Apple, Scherzer has had much more of a struggle, going 8-4 in 18 starts with a 4.20 ERA, the worst mark of his career since 2011.

Verlander, 40, has found a bit more success in his first season with the Mets with a 5-5 record in 15 stars to go along with a 3.24 ERA and 1.146 WHIP in 89 innings.

Verlander has been getting a moderate level of interest from other ball clubs but it's still far from definite that he'll be traded. The Mets have certainly been willing to listen to conversations about the 2022 AL Cy Young award winner.

However, it'd be difficult to deal either pitcher as both of them have no-trade clauses in their contracts. New York hasn't even brought up any teams to Verlander to see if he'd be willing to waive the clause, per Martino.

The Mets believe that Verlander will be able to contribute next season when the team may be ready to compete again after massively underachieving in 2023.

New York currently sits fourth in the NL East and seven games out of a Wild Card slot after winning 101 games last year.

So, for the moment, it looks like the trade deadline may come and go and both starters will still be on the roster.

Outfielders Tommy Pham and and Mark Canha look much more likely to be dealt over the next few days.