Justin Wieland is expected to reject the Houston Astros’ $18.4 million qualification offer and test free agents. The experienced starter is unlikely to stay on the open market for too long, and he may eventually face one of Houston’s top opponents.
According to reports, the New York Yankees are one of the front runners to sign Wieland. Given his reported preferences and the team’s demand for front-line starters, New York may be the best fit for the veteran.
according to Ken Rosenthal of Major League Baseball Network, Wieland is likely to want to join an East Coast team training in Florida, and the Yankees fit this description. ESPN’s Jeff Passang Forecast The Yankees will sign Verlander, and the deal may be reached before Thanksgiving. Major League Baseball insider Jon Hyman also queued the Yankees as a possible destination for Wieland.
The impression of the outside world is that Wieland may prefer a team trained in Florida, and perhaps a team trained on the East Coast, because he at least has a home in Florida. @乔尔舍曼1 with @Ken_Rosenthal Mention of possible preferences
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 17, 2021
The Yankees are one of the teams of future Hall of Famer Justin Wieland, and he is expected to make a decision soon, possibly even this week. Jace and many others are also very interested. He has the right to choose between years and one year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 17, 2021
The Yankees are one of many teams in Florida that watched Verlander’s pitcher earlier this month.Wieland held exercise After Tommy John surgery restricted him to only one start in the past two Major League Baseball seasons, potential suitors showed off his stuff.
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox are also considered contenders for signing Wieland. If the 38-year-old can start where he left off in the 2019 season, he may change the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
The Red Sox defeated the Yankees in the 2021 AFC Wild Card Game because Wieland’s former Astros teammate Gerrit Cole was absent in New York. The Blue Jays completed a game in the wild card game.
Other teams rumored to be looking for Wieland include the World Series champion Atlanta Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Blue Jays.
Before the injury, Wieland was the top pitcher in the American League. Verlander won the 2019 AL Cy Young Award, leading the league with 21 wins and 0.80 WHIP in 223 games. Verlander was runner-up in AL Cy Young in 2016 and 2018. He finished fifth in 2017.
In 74 games in Houston, Wieland has 2.45 ERA and 12.1 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Photo: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images
