Future first-ballot Hall of Fame Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. JV has been one of the most decorated pitchers of this generation with some of the greatest accolades of all time. The veteran pitcher will be 42 years old for the 2025 season and it will mark his 20th season in Major League Baseball.
The Giants are looking to improve from their sub .500 record to try to compete in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball including the World Series Champs LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Luckily for all of us, the NL now has a DH so we won’t have to see JV struggle at the plate.
Verlander By the Numbers
Justin Verlander’s accolades may shock some by how much he has accomplished over his 20-year career. He is one of four Major League pitchers to win multiple World Series (2017 and 2022), multiple Cy Young Awards (2011, 2019, 2022), toss multiple no-hitters (2007, 2011, 2019), and a bevy of All-Star selections (9 total).
Oh by the way, you can add a 2006 Rookie of the Year Award and more importantly winning the pitching Triple Crown and AL MVP in 2011! In 2024 Verlander re-signed with the Houston Astros on a one-year deal and the 41-year-old had the highest ERA of his career ending with a 5.48.
What the Verlander Signing Means For SF
This is a low-risk, high-reward deal for the San Francisco Giants. Obviously, we are not going to get a “must-see” JV, but with a one-year contract, this gives the Giants leverage. Verlander should be a great mentor for a relatively young starting rotation. If Verlander gives them a good chance to win, great! If the team isn’t competitive, the Giants could move on from him at the trade deadline. They could get something in return for a Hall of Fame pitcher trying to help a contender win a World Series.
Final Thoughts
As a native Detroiter, this move is a little surprising. There have always been rumors of Verlander wanting to end his career here in Detroit, where it all started. This deal doesn’t necessarily mean this will be his final season, but “Father Time” remains undefeated.
It does have me thinking if the Detroit Tigers are buyers and if the Giants are sellers at the deadline, with Tigers’ GM Scott Harris’ connection with the Bay, could Verlander be a Tiger by the end of the season? If the 42-year-old can have a bounce-back season, this may be a shrewd deal for the Giants. I am kind of curious if Kate Upton wanted to be in California.
