Justin Verlander is leaving the New York Mets after not even one full season.
The Mets, who entered 2023 with MLB's highest payroll, are trading the three-time Cy Young winner to his former club, the Houston Astros, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Houston is sending two minor-league players to New York in the deal. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Mets are receiving outfielder Drew Gilbert, while USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported outfielder Ryan Clifford is also part of the return.
Gilbert is the top-ranked prospect in Houston's farm system, according to both B/R's Joel Reuter and MLB.