Verlander questions commitment to Mets after Scherzer deal: 'How do you not?'

Justin Verlander joined the New York Mets with eyes on a third ring. The team's recent moves now have him reconsidering whether that's really in his future.

Although general manager Billy Eppler said that trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers was not signaling a fire sale in Flushing, Verlander admitted Sunday that the Scherzer deal has given him some pause about his commitment to the team.

"How do you not think about it?" he told Tim Britton of The Athletic after pitching the Mets to a win. "When you see that happen, you can't help but think: What's in store for next year? We play the game to win, and you want the opportunity to do so."

"Max is a tough sign if you're trying to go back at it," Verlander added. "It changed my opinion a little bit."

Verlander and Scherzer were supposed to be leading a formidable Mets rotation to the top of the NL East. Although both star pitchers did their jobs, especially over the last month, the star-studded Mets have flopped overall and head into the deadline as sure-fire sellers. Scherzer approved the trade to Texas one day after he expressed dissatisfaction with the front office dealing closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for prospects.

Even before the Scherzer deal, there were questions about Verlander's future with the Mets. The Rangers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers have all been linked to the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner this month.

Like Scherzer, Verlander has a no-trade clause. Any potential deal would also come with financial complications. He'll earn $43.33 million next year and could trigger a $35-million player option for 2025 if certain conditions are met.

The 40-year-old has turned things around after a rough start to his Mets career, putting up a 1.69 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over six starts in July. He was given a loud ovation while leaving the mound Sunday, something he said he'll "always remember" no matter what happens over the next few days. Verlander also reaffirmed Sunday that his first choice is to stay with the Mets, so long as the organization's goals of winning in 2024 align with his own.

"I'm committed to trying to win a championship here," Verlander said. "But if the organization decides that that's not exactly the direction that they think is best fit to go for next year and go for it again, then, yeah, I'd be more open to (a trade).

"Right now there's a lot of gray area. I can't make a decision on a lot of what-ifs. I deal in facts."