UPDATE: MLB insider Bob Nightengale has the particulars on the finance portion of the trade, with the Mets sending Houston $54 million:
The Mets have traded away their ace, both for this season and next season, according to multiple reports.
After speculation surrounding whether the franchise would sell or keep the reigning AL Cy Young winner, the Mets have reportedly dealt Justin Verlander to the Astros, the team he won the award, and a World Series, with last season.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Mets are getting the top-ranked prospect in the Astros organization in outfielder Drew Gilbert, plus another prospect. Per ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, the other piece going to New York is 20-year-old Ryan Clifford, another outfielder and the Astros' fourth-ranked prospect.
Verlander just won his 250th career game with the Mets, in what turned out to be his last start with the team, and holds a 3.15 ERA on the year after a rough start that was stunted by a teres major injury.
Verlander was under contract for next season, meaning the Mets will now go into the 2024 season without Verlander and Max Scherzer, and will have a load of question marks in their rotation next season outside of Kodai Senga.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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