Justin Verlander leads Mets to win over Nationals in final start before trade deadline

Making his final start before the fast-approaching MLB trade deadline, the Mets’ Justin Verlander demonstrated once again Sunday how he could help a contender.

The 40-year-old right-hander held the Washington Nationals to one run over 5.1 innings, striking out five in the Mets’ 5-2 win at Citi Field. Verlander exited to a standing ovation from a home crowd wondering if he had just pitched his last game for New York.

The strong outing came a day after the disappointing Mets sent co-ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, establishing them as full-blown sellers before Tuesday’s deadline.

Verlander, who improved to 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA this season, would be one of the top starting pitchers on the trade market if the Mets make him available. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has pitched to a 1.49 ERA over his last seven starts. His 16 playoff wins are the second-most in MLB history.

Trading Verlander comes with complications, considering he is owed $43.3 million in 2024 and has a $35 million vesting option for 2025 that goes into effect if he pitches 140 innings next year. The Mets managed to navigate Scherzer’s similarly complex contract, with the right-hander waiving his no-trade clause and picking up his 2024 player option to facilitate the move to Texas.

Before Sunday’s game, general manager Billy Eppler insisted the Mets (50-55) aren’t rebuilding but said they would listen to offers for their players. Asked if Verlander was among them, he declined to comment.

The Mets, who remain outside of the playoff picture despite the highest payroll in MLB history, traded closer David Robertson to the Marlins last week.

Sunday’s game concluded the Mets’ four-game series against the Nationals, which was largely overshadowed by the swirling trade rumors. Verlander ran into early trouble, allowing back-to-back singles to CJ Abrams and Jeimer Candelario to begin the game. The lone run against Verlander came during that opening frame when Abrams stole home.

Verlander settled in from there, at one point retiring 16-of-19 Washington batters.

The Mets answered with a first-inning RBI single by Pete Alonso. They broke the game open with a three-run third inning, during which Jeff McNeil contributed an RBI triple and Alonso added a sacrifice fly.

New York won three of the four games against the Nationals, who fell to 44-62 and are in last place in the NL East.

Up next for the Mets is a three-game series in Kansas City, which begins Tuesday. Jose Quintana is scheduled to pitch against Royals veteran Zack Greinke, who is 1-11 with a 5.49 ERA.

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