2023 MLB Free Agent Preview: Justin Verlander
The 39-year-old righty put up one of the best seasons of his long career. Coming off Tommy John surgery and a chance to win his third Cy Young, Justin Verlander could be one of the best pitchers to hit the market.
2022 Review
In 28 starts, Verlander went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 175 innings. His SIERA was just above three at 3.09 and had a 5.9 WAR. He’ll most likely win his third Cy Young and having this kind of season after Tommy John is unbelievable.
Potential Landing Spots
With Verlander set to turn 40 soon, a long-term contract is unlikely. A one-year deal for an extremely high price is also on the table but is hard for teams to do for an aging player. But if it’s Justin Verlander, the money is worth it. Staying in Houston is likely, but there’s been a few teams linked in the past.
Houston Astros
Verlander could just be looking for more money from Houston instead of trying to leave. He just won his second World Series with the team and a one- to two-year deal could help Verlander close out his career. With his age, this is the most likely scenario for the big right-hander.
Toronto Blue Jays
It’s a bigger possibility than many think. Last offseason, Verlander and the Blue Jays shared a mutual interest before they signed Kevin Gausman. After the Jays pitching crashed during the players, adding an elite veteran arm is just what that young rotation could use. The Blue Jays overall are a young team and adding a veteran with deep postseason experience could push this team to a higher level.
New York Yankees
Similar to the Blue Jays, the Yankees showed interest and tried to lure Verlander over the last offseason. This year, the Yankees could still use him. They’ll have one spot open, as the other four are taken by Gerrit Cole, Frankie Montas, Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino. Plugging in Verlander would be quite the pitching staff, especially with Cole and Verlander back-to-back.
Detroit Tigers
Never say never to a reunion. Verlander spent the first 13 years of his career with the Tigers where he quickly became one of the best in the game. The Tigers aren’t in a position to contend but adding a few big pieces could make them a sleeper pick. If Verlander is planning to hang up the cleats soon, ending it where it began would be textbook.
The Verdict
He’ll most definitely stay with the Astros. He loves Houston, and they’ll probably be the only team willing to give him the money he wants at his age. Let him keep going for another year or so until he calls it quits, and see if you can win him another ring.
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