Insider updates if Mets could trade Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander

It sounds like New York Mets co-aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander will stay put through the Aug. 1 trade deadline despite the current state of the team. 

"Scherzer’s agent Scott Boras said the Mets haven’t yet inquired about Scherzer’s willingness to accept a trade, and didn’t sound like he expected them to," MLB insider Jon Heyman reported for the New York Post on Monday. "Verlander said a few days ago he hadn’t been approached either." 

Heyman also mentioned how Verlander has repeatedly insisted he's committed to helping the Mets chase a World Series title. 

Verlander, 40, signed a two-year, $86.66M contract that includes a vesting third-year option to join the Mets in December. Scherzer, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a three-year, $130M deal with the organization shortly after the 2021 season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who turns 39 on July 27, can opt out of that contract after the 2023 season, but Heyman noted that Scherzer "obviously won’t opt and walk away." 

As of Monday afternoon, Verlander was responsible for a 4-5 record and a 3.47 ERA across 14 starts and 83 innings of work this season. Scherzer, meanwhile, began sits at 8-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 18 starts and 100.2 innings. 

"A few executives contacted thought the Mets would have to pay about half their contracts to bring anything back, and one said to get a good return, the Mets would have to pay 'almost all of it,'" Heyman added in his latest report. "The consensus seems to be that they could get a solid contributor back, but not an impact player. That might change if they were to pay 'almost all' the contracts." 

Heyman indicated that big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen would not accept "quite the waste" of money it would take to get teams to take fliers on Verlander and/or Scherzer. Instead, Cohen could allow Mets general manager Billy Eppler to sell other "less interesting" veterans who are on cheaper contracts.

The 46-53 Mets are 4-5 since the All-Star break and entered Monday seven-and-a-half games back in the race for a wild-card playoff spot. They next play at the 53-47 New York Yankees on Tuesday evening.