Detroit Tigers Postpone Millions in Payments to Verlander and Valdez Until 2039
Star pitchers Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez will receive the final payments of their new contracts with the Detroit Tigers in the year 2039. The team has chosen to defer a total of 31 million dollars of the 128 million committed for both players.
Verlander, who is currently 43 years old, will receive 2 million dollars this year as part of his one-year, 13 million dollar contract. The remaining 11 million, corresponding to the three-time Cy Young Award winner, will be paid in installments of 1.1 million dollars every June 30th from 2030 to 2039.
The three-year, $115 million Valdez deal includes a $20 million signing bonus, which will be paid in installments of $2 million each June 15 from 2030 to 2039.
The 32-year-old, two-time All-Star left-handed pitcher will earn salaries of $17.5 million this year and $37.5 million in 2027. The contract also includes a player option for $35 million for 2028 and a mutual option for $40 million for 2029, with a $5 million buyout clause.
Valdez’s salary could increase annually between 2027 and 2029, depending on the awards won in the previous season, as long as he doesn’t end the season on the injured list. If he wins the Cy Young award, his salary would increase by $2 million; if he finishes second, by $1 million; and if he finishes third, by $500,000. It could also increase by $2 million if he is named World Series Most Valuable Player and by $1 million if he is the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player.
