For his 21st season in Major League Baseball, Justin Verlander is heading back to where it all began. On Tuesday, Verlander signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, the team that first brought him into the big leagues. The three-time American League Cy Young Award winner joins a revamped starting rotation that also features new acquisitions Tariq Skubal and Framber Valdez.
Verlander, who turns 43 on February 20, spent the first 13 years of his career with the Tigers, posting a 183-114 win-loss record and a 3.49 ERA. His standout 2011 season earned him both his first Cy Young Award and the AL MVP honors, after he finished with a remarkable 24-5 record and a 2.40 ERA.
In August 2017, Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros, where he played a crucial role in their World Series titles in 2017 and 2022. Now, he has the opportunity to help Detroit secure its first championship since 1984. The contract includes an $11 million deferred payment beginning in 2030, and Tigers pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training on Wednesday.
Throughout his career, Verlander has started 555 games, accumulating 266 wins, 158 losses, and a 3.32 ERA. He has also played for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, ranking tied for 34th all-time in wins alongside Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, and sitting eighth on the all-time strikeouts list with 3,553, just behind Don Sutton.
Verlander is coming off a tough season with the Giants, where he started 29 games but recorded only 4 wins against 11 losses, with an overall ERA of 3.85. However, his performance improved markedly after July 23, posting a 2.60 ERA—the fourth-best in the National League for pitchers with at least 60 innings during that span.
He missed about a month due to a torn right pectoral muscle but made his return on June 18. After an 0-8 start and winless streak through his first 16 games, Verlander finally notched a victory against Atlanta on July 23, signaling a hopeful turnaround.
Reflecting after his final start on September 27, Verlander acknowledged the early-season struggles but expressed satisfaction with his adjustments: “It was quite difficult in the first half. I’m glad that I found some mechanical corrections and got back on the right track, and was able to pitch well in the second half. Obviously, it’s always better to do better, but I’m happy to turn it around. It gets really draining and tiring, especially after a few months. I just have to come to the game every day, have a positive mindset, and keep working hard.”
Last January, Verlander inked a $15 million, one-year contract with the Giants and made an unforgettable home debut, despite often dealing with insufficient run support from his team. His strong second-half performance was key, holding opposing batters to a .228 average over his last 13 starts and allowing two or fewer earned runs in 10 of those outings.
Reported by the Associated Press.
Fan Take: Justin Verlander’s return to Detroit is a thrilling homecoming that reignites hope for longtime Tigers fans eager for a championship. His experience and resilience could inspire a new generation, reminding baseball fans that veteran players still have the power to shape the future of the sport.
