Justin Verlander has proved yet again that he is, without a doubt, a generational talent. Now, the 2022 Cy Young finalist will likely find some lucrative contract offers coming down the pipe. We can only ponder how much they will be worth.
Coming into the 2022 MLB season at 39 years of age, Verlander was expected to possibly retire when the season ended and accordingly penned a 1-year deal worth $25 million with the Houston Astros. He has been with the team since coming over from the Detroit Tigers in 2017.
Despite his spectacular longevity, Verlander will still be 40 on Opening Day 2023. This means that teams will be wary about signing him to a deal longer than 1 or 2 seasons. Although salaries could bounce around depending on the needs of the prospective team, we will likely see a contract somewhere in the $25-30 million range.
Even though he is a Cy Young finalist and can possibly win the third such designation of his career, the player decided to walk away from any qualifying offers from the Astros, becoming a free agent. His refusal came as the Astros hoped to convince him with another 1-year, $25 million deal, but Justin Verlander was set to leave.
Justin Verlander has officially opted out of his contract with the Astros & is now a free agent. https://t.co/EgaTuNeDuP
“Justin Verlander has officially opted out of his contract with the Astros & is now a free agent.” – @ FOX Sports: MLB
As good as Verlander’s career record has been, nobody could have ever predicted the eye-popping stats that JV would put up in 2022. He went 18-4, giving him a league-best winning percentage of .818, while also having the best starting ERA in the AL with a figure of just 1.75.
“World Champion Justin Verlander.” – @ Houston Astros
To top off his historic success, Verlander was able to capture his first World Series win on the mound in his 4th Fall Classic appearance over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Justin Verlander’s next team will likely be his last
Verlander is not getting any younger. He and his wife, model Kate Upton, have two small children at home. Although the player could pitch into his mid-40s, it is hard to imagine that he has the appetite for it.
It remains a mystery where he will go. While he has already played down the prospect of joining the Yankees, some expect the cash-strapped Mets to join the conversation. Either way, the team who lands him will be lucky.