The San Francisco Giants and veteran pitcher Justin Verlander have reached a one-year, $15 million contract agreement, according to multiple reports.
State of play: The deal is a significant move following the appointment of Buster Posey as the Giants’ new President of Baseball Operations, succeeding Farhan Zaidi.
- Verlander’s signing adds to the team’s recent activity, which includes securing free agent shortstop Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million contract in December.
What we’re watching: This upcoming season will mark Verlander’s 20th year in Major League Baseball. Despite turning 42 soon, he is anticipated to join the Giants’ starting rotation, fronted by All-Star right-hander Logan Webb.
Driving the news: Verlander’s 2024 season with the Houston Astros was impacted by injuries, as he registered a 5-6 record and 5.48 ERA across 17 starts.
- His challenges included shoulder inflammation at the beginning of the season and subsequent neck discomfort, leading to a 9.26 ERA in five September starts. This resulted in his absence from the Astros’ postseason roster after they were swept in the AL Wild Card Series by the Detroit Tigers.
- Verlander’s pursuit of a conditional $35 million player option was unmet due to failing to pitch 140 innings, a situation that positioned him as a free agent.
Flashback: The veteran pitcher, who was initially selected by the Detroit Tigers as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft, spent over a decade with the Tigers. During his time there, Verlander achieved remarkable success, including winning the AL Cy Young Award and being named AL MVP in 2011.
