Houston Astros trade deadline acquisition Justin Verlander said the Astros were his "No. 1 choice" for a trade destination from the New York Mets, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome and MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, helped lead the Astros to World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.
Chandler RomeJustin Verlander: "Houston was the No. 1 choice for me."
Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggartVerlander said the Astros were his No. 1 choice <a href="https://t.co/ylma2IR47W">pic.twitter.com/ylma2IR47W</a>
The trade brought Verlander back to Houston in exchange for highly ranked minor league outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.