As the New York Mets continue their abysmal season, Justin Verlander is seeing his name pop up in rumors surrounding the MLB trade deadline. One team he has been linked to in particular is the San Francisco Giants, with two ‘significant variables' determining how serious these talks are, reports MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

“The Giants are tracking right now…what we don't know are two pretty significant variables. Number one, Verlander's appetite to wave his no-trade clause…the other variable, the small matter of the $43 million he is owed next season…these are things that we don't know for sure, but the interest is legitimate.”

It would certainly be a massive move to see Verlander get traded away from the Mets in just his first season in New York. Still, given how badly things have gone for the Mets this season, it would not be that much of a surprise when taking into account how comfortable Steve Cohen is in making blockbuster decisions.

As of now, the rumors about Justin Verlander actually being in a deal by the Mets at the MLB trade deadline are just rumors. Verlander has made his loyalty to the Mets clear, and although the Giants might have interest, it all sounds very preliminary as of right now.

How the Mets fare over the next couple of weeks leading into the trade deadline will be huge in whether or not they consider being sellers. If they do become sellers, watch out for the rumors of Justin Verlander all of the sudden becoming a member of the Giants at the trade deadline.