*Photo from The Athletic*
After being out for two seasons as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, a big name is back in Houston. The Houston Astros and RHP Justin Verlander have agreed to a one year, $25 million deal, according to Justin's brother, Ben Verlander. The deal is official.
In his deal, there is a player option for the 2023 season, which is also worth $25 million, so Verlander could max out the deal at 2 years and $50 million if he so desires. It's a big price for a pitcher who made just one start in 2020 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he was spotted throwing high velocity with his fastball at a workout earlier in the offseason.
In 2019, his last fully healthy season, Verlander pitched to a 21-6 record with a 2.58 ERA, striking out an even 300 hitters while walking just 42, throwing 223 innings while starting 34 games, also taking home the 2019 AL Cy Young award. He threw 6 innings in one start in the 2020 season before getting injured and undergoing Tommy John surgery, which knocked him out for the 2021 season as well.
In 16 years in the major leagues, spent with the Astros and the Detroit Tigers, Verlander has a career 226-129 record with a 3.33 ERA, striking out 3,013 hitters while walking just 851, having thrown 2,988 innings in 454 career appearances, all of them being starts. Verlander also has 8 all star appearances under his belt.
The 39 year old Verlander, including his 8 all star appearances, also has plenty of awards. Including the 2019 Cy Young, he has won the 2011 AL Cy Young with the Tigers, the same year he won AL MVP, narrowly beating out Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox. He also won the AL rookie of the year in 2006, and the 2017 ALCS MVP in the Astros title run.
Despite coming back from Tommy John surgery, Verlander still had plenty of teams lined up for his services. Over 20 attended his workout in Florida, and the Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays had also shown interest in Verlander prior to re-signing in Houston.
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