Astros Ace Would Have Accepted Trade to Two Other MLB Teams
The Houston Astros enter their first weekend of exhibition games with plenty of familiar faces around their spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Justin Verlander returns to Astros spring training after spending spring training with the New York Mets last season.
The Astros acquired Verlander at last season's trade deadline from the Mets as they looked to make a World Series push, one that fell short in a seven-game loss to the Texas Rangers in the AL Championship Series.
Verlander was one of the biggest names on the market last deadline and he was sought after by multiple teams.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles and others had interest in the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
Now the kicker — according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Verlander would've accepted a trade to the Dodgers or Orioles at the deadline.
"Verlander said he heard at the trade deadline that the Dodgers and Orioles were interested, and he said he’d have accepted Los Angeles or even Baltimore if those were the options."
It's not surprising to hear Verlander would've accepted a trade to either of those teams. Los Angeles and Baltimore ended up winning their divisions last season and he was clearly interested in making a postseason run once the Mets decided they were out of the race.
Instead, he was traded to Houston and got to play with many of his former teammates.
As Verlander enters his age 41 season, this could be one of his last chances to win a World Series. In his last full season in Houston he won the AL Cy Young and a World Series title.
Another Cy Young caliber season from one of the best to ever toe the rubber will put the Astros in a great position to win another ring.
