Debate as to what the Giants will do at the trade deadline has been consistent for weeks, but we finally have a report from a legit newsbreaker about a specific player they are targeting.
San Francisco is one of the teams evaluating veteran Mets pitcher Justin Verlander according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Their interest is contingent on Verlander waiving his no-trade clause.
Verlander, 40, is a nine-time All-Star, future Hall-of-Famer and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for most of his 18-year career. Verlander won the Cy Young last year with the Tigers, and has followed that up with a solid, albeit inconsistent, season in New York. Verlander has a 3.47 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 14 starts this season.
With the Mets six games under .500, it would stand to reason that Verlander would be willing to waive his no-trade clause. Verlander is also expensive, after signing a two-year, $86 million contract last offseason, one that has a $35 million option which vests in 2025 if Verlander pitches at least 140 innings in 2024.
That said, the Giants have money and need starting pitching. If they are going to make noise in the playoffs, adding a player like Verlander will go a long way.
