Right-hander Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros began his month of August with a strong performance on Thursday night against the Cleveland Guardians. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five. With 130 innings pitched, he now has a 5.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.73 ERA (221 ERA+) for the season.
It just so happens to be a significant number. Verlander’s player option for $25 million, which the Astros asked for as an incentive when they signed him last winter after he had been out for more than a year recovering from Tommy John surgery, became active when he reached 130 innings.
Prior to having Tommy John surgery, which caused Justin Verlander to miss the remainder of 2020 and all of 2021, he only threw six innings 2020.
He held a showcase for interested organizations after regaining his health and ultimately re-signed with the Astros. Despite barely pitching for two years, the contract guaranteed him $25MM in 2022. Additionally, it included a $25 million player option for 2023, subject to Verlander pitching 130 innings this year. Verlander has already crossed that threshold, earning him another $25 million in compensation for the next year.
He’s been pitching so effectively this year, though, that he’s probably going to decide against exercising his option and go back to the free market in search of a higher salary. He had a 1.73 ERA with a 25.5% strikeout rate, a 4.6% walk rate, and a 37.4% ground ball rate in exactly 130 innings up to tonight.
Depending on how well he performs at the end, Verlander may legitimately request an AAV in the $40-45MM bracket, similar to that of Scherzer. But how long will teams be ready to commit to a player who will soon turn 40? What percentage of teams will agree to play for two years? Will any be taken to three, like they were for Scherzer?
Current Contract
With the Houston Astros, Justin Verlander agreed to a two-year, $50 million deal that has a $50 million guarantee and an average annual salary of $25 million. Verlander will be paid a total of $25,000,000 in 2022, in addition to a base salary of $25,000,000.
Previous Contract
About Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher for the Houston Astros. He played with the Detroit Tigers for 13 seasons, beginning on July 4, 2005, when he made his major league debut. As a former ace in the starting rotation, he was acknowledged as a major contributor to the Tigers’ four consecutive American League (AL) Central division titles from 2011 to 2014.
Justin Verlander is among the most well-known pitchers in baseball. On average, he is believed to throw at a pace of more than 100 mph. He began playing baseball in 2001, and in 2004 he made his major league debut. The Most Valuable Player Award for 2019 has been handed to him. He was a part of the group that won the World Series earlier this year.
Justin Verlander Bio
| Real Name | Justin Brooks Verlander |
| Nick Name: | Justin Verlander |
| Birth Place: | Manakin, Virginia, United States |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 20 February 1983 |
| Age/How Old: | 39 years old |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 1.96 m In Feet and Inches – 6′ 4″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 102 kg In Pounds – 224 lbs. |
| Eye Colour: | Brown |
| Hair Colour: | Dark brown |
| School: | Goochland High School |
| College: | Old Dominion University |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Nationality: | American |
| Zodiac Sign: | Pisces |
| Gender: | Male |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Kids/Children Name: | Genevieve Upton Verlander |
| Profession: | Baseball pitcher |
| Net Worth: | $160 Million
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