DETROIT – The legend is back. Justin Verlander will once again don the Tigers uniform, after finalizing a one-year, $13 million deal, with $11 million deferred. This announcement marks the return of the star pitcher to the team that saw him rise in the Major Leagues. At the doors of his number 21 season in MLB, Verlander continues to cement a legacy that positions him among the most outstanding starters of all time. The right-hander has three Cy Young awards, nine All-Star Game appearances, two ERA titles, the American League MVP award in 2011, and two World Series rings. In addition, he is one of six pitchers in history with three no-hitters. His influence has also been felt in October. In more than 226 postseason appearances, he has a 3.58 ERA and was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series in 2017 with Houston. Far from thinking about retirement, the veteran proved in 2025 that he still has much to offer. At 42 years old, he made 29 starts with the San Francisco Giants, with an ERA of 3.85 and surpassing the emblematic figure of 3,500 strikeouts in his career. He is currently in eighth historical place with 3,553 strikeouts.
Although he no longer regularly reaches 100 miles per hour with his fastball, Verlander remains effective thanks to the quality of his secondary pitches. Last year, he limited hard contact to 37%, placing him in the 78th percentile among qualified pitchers. His changeup was punished for a .200 average and his sweeper proved almost untouchable, allowing a .058 average.
It is important to note that the right was not subject to compensation from the Draft, given that he had previously received a qualifying offer, which facilitated the agreement without penalties for Detroit. Verlander debuted in 2005 with the Tigers at age 22 and remained 13 seasons in the organization before going through Astros, Mets and Giants. With Houston he won two World Series titles (2017 and 2022). Now, the veteran returns to the place where it all began with the firm intention of continuing to compete at the highest level. His declared goal is to pitch at least until he is 45 years old, and in Detroit he will have the opportunity to continue writing his remarkable story.
