There are still a few hours until Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, but Justin Verlander’s position as a New York Mets pitcher could change.

Several teams, including his former club, the Houston Astros, have reportedly expressed interest in the three-time Cy Young champion. These teams include the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and Baltimore.

A source informed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Mets and Astros were close to a deal for the 40-year-old on Monday night, but that “things have really cooled down” since then. Even if the Braves have expressed interest in Verlander, the nine-time All-Star is unlikely to be traded to Atlanta, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Verlander’s remaining deal complicates trade talks for the 50-55 Mets. After agreeing to a two-year, $86.7 million contract in December, he is now under contract through the 2020 season with an option for 2025.

The Yankees might offer more in return for Verlander than they did for ace pitcher Max Scherzer when they traded for top prospҽct Luisangel Acuna from the Rangers.

General manager Billy Eppler claimed on Sunday that despite trading Scherzer to Texas, the Mets were not dismantling their underperforming team, which had an original estimated cost of $365 million.

To clarify, this is not a reconstruction. “This is not a fire sale,” Eppler emphasized on Sunday at Citi Field. That’s not a liquidation, they say.

Verlander, fresh off a Cy Young season and Houston’s second World Series championship, is the subject of considerable speculation.

Verlander, like Scherzer, has a no-trade clause and a young family that may restrict his choice of teams.