The Giants reportedly are adding a future National Baseball Hall of Famer to their roster.
San Francisco and veteran ace Justin Verlander are in agreement on a one-year contract pending a physical, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday, citing sources. After missing out on Corbin Burnes, it appears the Giants pivoted to the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner who will turn 42 next month and has the second-most playoff wins of all time.
The deal is worth $15 million, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported shortly after Passan, citing a source.
Verlander's deal is for $15 million, per a source. https://t.co/mASEOZaPht
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 8, 2025
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Verlander, a 19-year MLB veteran, compiled a 5.48 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 90.1 innings en route to a 5-6 record in 2024 with the Houston Astros. The ace owns a career 3.30 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, however, and is just two seasons removed from a Cy Young campaign.
The Giants approach spring training with plenty of youngsters on their pitching staff, including Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp and Mason Black, who certainly will be able to learn a thing or two from Verlander. And San Francisco's veteran pitchers like Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks will benefit greatly from the former AL MVP's knowledge and experience.
The last time Verlander pitched at Oracle Park ironically was in the 2012 World Series, when Pablo Sandoval homered off of him twice in San Francisco's Game 1 victory. Despite his Detroit Tigers' loss to the Giants in the Fall Classic that year, Verlander went on to win two World Series titles with the Astros in 2017 and 2022.
MLB
Now, he'll play for his former opponent, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey.
