Philadelphia Phillies Should Pursue Cy Young Starter at All Costs

The Philadelphia Phillies need to reinforce their rotation at the MLB trade deadline.

The fact they are moving through the 2023 MLB season without a solidified fifth starter is astounding.

Andrew Painter, their top prospect, was supposed to fill that role until he got injured during Spring Training.

But what if the Phillies could pursue the man Painter is most likened to - Justin Verlander?

According to a recent column by The Athletic, the New York Mets very well could be ready to offload both Verlander and Max Scherzer at the deadline.

If the duo are willing to waive their no-trade clauses then Philadelphia needs to be first in line for Verlander.

Last winter, the Phillies were linked to Verlander when he was a free agent before he signed a two-year, $86.66 million contract with a vested option for 2025.

Yes, Verlander is 40 years old, but he did when the American League Cy Young award last season. And while he isn't performing to his career standards this season, a lot of that can do with the environment he is in.

Due to contract length, size and his age, it may not take a ton of prospect capital to pry Verlander away from New York. Mets owner Steve Cohen is looking to offload salary at this point so he can re-tool his team and reset his books.

If the Phillies had any interest in going after Verlander in the winter, now is their chance to get him for two postseason runs and complete what then would become one of the best rotations in all of baseball.

It's a move worth exploring if Philadelphia is serious about making another World Series run.

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