Sources - New York Mets, Justin Verlander reach agreement

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Sources told Jeff Passan on Monday that the New York Mets have an agreement with three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.

There is a third-year option in the deal, a source said.

The Houston Astros will win their second World Series title in 2022. He was a unanimous winner of his third Cy Young Award, becoming the first player to win the award after not pitching in the previous year.

He made his ninth All-Star team with a 18-4 record and 185 strikeouts in 28 starts this year. After winning the World Series in Philadelphia for the first time in his illustrious career, Verlander opted out of his $25 million salary and became a free agent.

After losing two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers, the Mets now will pair Verlander atop their rotation with Max Scherzer, who is also a three-time Cy Young Award winner

It will be the first time that Verlander will pitch a full season in the National League after 13 seasons in the American League.

The veteran made four starts against the NL East and didn't give up a single earned run. He has a 2.14 earned run average against the NL East, which is his best against any division.

Verlander missed the entire 2021, and only one start in 2020, due to his elbow injury.

He was the American League's leader in wins and led the majors in both wins and strikeouts. His earned run average was the lowest by an American League pitcher in a full season at any age since 1913, and he made at least 25 starts in his age-39 or older season.

During the regular season, Verlander completed at least sixinnings in 22 of his 28 starts, and he struck out 185 hitters and walked only 29 He was the second non-rookie to make at least 15 starts and post a sub-2.00 earned run average despite not pitching in the majors the previous season.

The AP and Gonzalez contributed to it.