It’s homecoming season in Detroit. After years of Tigers fans hoping for a reunion with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, the team announced Tuesday that Verlander has been signed to a one-year contract for the 2026 season. The ISE client is guaranteed $13MM, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, though $11MM of that sum will be deferred and paid out beginning in 2030.
Though he’ll turn 43 later this month, Verlander has voiced no desire to call it quits. Rather, he’s previously said he hopes to pitch well into his mid 40s. He’s coming off a solid season at age 42 — one that started slowly but by the end saw Verlander again pitching like a high-quality big league starter. The right-hander pitched 152 innings for the Giants last season, logging a 3.85 ERA, a 20.7% strikeout rate, a 7.9% walk rate and a 34.5% ground-ball rate.
Those are solid overall numbers but mask the strength of Verlander’s finish. Over his final 13 trips to the mound, he totaled 72 2/3 innings with a terrific 2.60 ERA, a 22.8% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate. Verlander limited hard contact better than the average pitcher, checked in with a 93.9 mph average on his four-seamer and turned in an 11% swinging-strike rate that was an exact match for the league average. He only picked up four wins during his time as a Giant, hindering his quest to chase down the 300-victory milestone, but that was due more to poor run support and shaky bullpen work behind him than anything Verlander specifically did.
Verlander returns to what now looks like a stacked Detroit rotation. He’ll reunite with former Astros teammate Framber Valdez, who agreed to a three-year, $115MM contract with Detroit just last week. That pair will join ace Tarik Skubal as he looks to join Verlander as a three-time Cy Young winner. The rotation will be rounded out by right-handers Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, A healthy Reese Olson would have been among Detroit’s top five starters, even with Verlander in tow, but the team revealed this afternoon that he suffered a setback from last season’s shoulder injury and underwent season-ending surgery.
In all likelihood, there’ll be plenty of starts to go around for other rotation candidates, including promising righty Troy Melton. Injuries are inevitable, so there probably won’t be too many stretches of the season where all six of Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Mize, Flaherty and Drew Anderson are all at full strength. Top prospect Jackson Jobe could factor into the mix late in the season as well, but he’ll miss the majority of the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. Even still, simply having someone of Verlander’s stature around to watch and learn from during spring training is an opportunity that Jobe (and other young arms in Tigers camp) will undoubtedly relish.
Whether coincidence or otherwise, Verlander’s $13MM guarantee matches the $13MM gap the Tigers faced in last week’s arbitration hearing with Skubal. The reigning AL Cy Young winner won that hearing. Perhaps the Tigers wouldn’t have gone quite so deferral-heavy on the contract had the arbitration panel ruled in favor of the team, but that’s a moot point. Either way, Verlander is back with the team that originally drafted him with No. 2 overall pick out of Old Dominion back in 2004, and he’ll continue his longshot quest to become MLB’s 25th 300-game winner.
Verlander currently sits at 266 wins in his illustrious career, tied with Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 37th-most in the game’s history. He’ll probably need three more seasons to have a chance at reaching the 300 mark, but he’s previously said he hopes to pitch until he is at least 45. Based on last year’s strong finish and his overall rate stats, he still has something left in the tank as he works toward that lofty goal.
The late additions of Valdez and Verlander will thrust the Tigers into luxury tax territory for the first time. RosterResource’s estimates currently have Detroit about $12MM over the $244MM threshold. That means they’ll pay a 20% tax on the net-present value of Verlander’s deal. It’s more than the Tigers have ever spent. Those late moves have positioned the Tigers as a clear front-runner in an AL Central that’s been characterized primarily by inertia this offseason. They took their time, but the Tigers have made it emphatically clear that their sights are set on winning the Central and pushing for a World Series win in Skubal’s final season before free agency.
Sounds like a “farewell tour” contract
WS – Dodgers vs Tigers. Wow!!
YEP THATS WHAT i WOULD LIKE TO SEE
JV back to Detroit always made the most sense. And now that rotation looks pretty good. Still not sure about the lineup.
I’m mostly concerned about their defense at 3B and SS. Neither position is settled, and their pitching staff will be increasingly dependent on ground ball outs this year…
@West I dont see the pitching staff being any significant amount more dependent on ground balls. Even if they are its likely Baez at SS, Torres 2B, and Keith with occasional McKinstry 3B.
The stability alone should improve defense. Last season Vierling/Meadows injured and Jung faltering they started shuffling players to fill the voids.
Would be better to throw it back with Giants vs Tigers. Bring back the Panda to face Verlander one last time! Ha!
Says he wants to pitch into his mid-40s. Delusions of winning 300 games.
Yeah, a few years back when he returned after TJ surgery, people like you said he was finished. He pitched to a 1.74 ERA and won the Cy Young again.
He is a champion of the game, and you should never write off a champion.
Verlander just has to go 34-0 this year. Then he can retire. But seriously I doubt he reaches 290, maybe 285 or less, even if he can pitch for 2 more years.
@Mets What specifically made it “sound” like a farewell tour? JV has sounded pretty steadfast in his desire to continue pitching. The article briefly touches on that in the beginning of 2nd paragraph.
All of that aside the key # here is 149, the # offer Ks that would push him upto 5th All Time. That is very achievable this year, I wouldn’t say very likely. If he stays healthy it ll be very close. If he does not get those 149 he will by all means be back.
He’s baaaaaaaackkkkk
@Tigers fans, what is the prospective rotation looking like now?
Skub
Frambler
Verlander
Who of Mize, Olson, Jobe, etc will get the final 2 spots?
R.L.R.L.R. 121212.
I guess $13M doesn’t buy what it used to. “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Verlander Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile”-🤣
No kidding. The Cardinals gave Dustin May — Dustin May!! — $12.5M for next season.
Would rather have him than Dustin May
No, 13 million doesn’t even buy you a decent infielder these days. I guess since most of the money is deffered they don’t think they’re paying him that much.
@Sadface They dont think they are paying that much as they are not. They paying $2M as well as what it costs to fund the principal on deferral that will accrue to pay out a total of $11M later in deferred $. Probably $7.5- 8M which makes this about a $10M deal ultimately.
I would guess Mize and Olson or a trade of Skubal lol.
Max Scherzer coming in hot!
Flaherty will get one
Ah forgot Flaherty! Yeah he’s a lock
You “forgot” Flaherty, yet he is mentioned in the article/post as one of the two to round out the rotation. Then a little further down, he’s mentioned yet again. I love getting on here and reading through the posts and then the debates, discussions, arguments throughout the comment section, but the comment section is constantly cluttered with questions and statements from people who were too bothered to read the work of the author.
I actually posted my comment right after the article was posted. Only about 1 paragraph existed in the article at that point. I love getting on here and seeing people who think they know everything when they are misinformed or just plain stupid. Which are you?
Skubal, Valdez, Flaherty, Verlander, Mize. Report a few days ago that Olson may not be ready for opening day and Jobe probably won’t be back til midseason
I’d think Drew Anderson could bump 1 of these guys out, he didn’t sign to be bullpen guy after his Japan success I’d think. We better keep the other team off the scoreboard cuz our offense unless we found plate discipline is still not good.
@Dan Drew Anderson signed to be a Tiger, where hes used is upto him at this point. It seems as of now that he is going to be a bullpen guy.
I agree about the lineup. I was and continue to hope they add a bat to OF. They have some young talent but Vierling, Perez, and Meadows all left all struggled some in 2025. Malloy and Jung both really struggled. Jahmani Jones added some spark at times but his glove is a liability to say the least. If Carpenter sees more time in OF, Jones could be a + for team as a DH. If Carpenter is going to be primarily the DH, a roster spot for Jones becomes hard to justify.
It will be mize and Flaherty.
Don’t sleep on Melton…
He’s now almost a lock to start the season in Toledo. You need eight starters to get through a season. Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Flaherty, Mize, Olson, Melton, Keider Montero (and Drew Anderson). Nine!
Sawyer Gipson-Long makes 10.
For – Don’t forget Scherzer, that makes 10!
Montero will likely pitch long relief and spot start. Who knows what to expect of Anderson when facing MLB hitters. Yes his gaudy K #s are intriguing but I think its prematurely rushing judgement. Melton has pitched 5 innings or more only 3 times. Flaherty did not pitch anything like what we witnessed in early 2024. Olson still has to return.
Im fairly confident all 9 will rarely if ever all be avaible. Off chance they are Montero, Melton, and Anderson likely in bullpen or Toledo.
Is it even up for debate barring a trade Mize and Flaherty. Mize former 1st overall and went 14-6 with a 3.87 era you take him outta the rotation fans I imagine would be seriously questioning management
Valdez, Flaherty, Emmitt Sheehan, Verlander, Gavin Stone. 😀
Flaherty?
Flaherty and Mize.
Jobe and Olson are hurt. Skubal, Valdez, Flaherty, Mize and Verlander. Not a bad rotation.
WOW !…….FANTASTIC !
O.M.G !
PR move prior to the Skubal trade.
Well done
I hope this isn’t true, but maybe. At this point if Skubal gets traded, I hope it’s to the Dodgers. My Phillies are looking like a 3rd place team in division, so I hope the Dodgers cream the Mets in the playoffs. Yes, I am petty when it comes to the hated Metropolitans.
I’m not sure why they Mets are so highly ranked. A lot of parts thst dont seem to make a whole.
MCBB
“I’m not sure why they Mets are so highly ranked. A lot of parts thst dont seem to make a whole.”
1) you’re overreacting to last year
2) The parts are good
Potentially, the best of the worst in the division. WAS going nowhere fast. ATL was poised to have a bounce back year after all the (esp) pitching injuries but looks like the starters still having health issues. PHI has that home field advantage but is older than dirt and has health/starting pitching issues as well. MIA is young, hungry and trending upwards. NYM have a lot of new parts and the accompanying IKEA instructions to reconcile. There is no clear cut fave in the division. If/when ATL and PHI can get their respective staffs semi-healthy, we’ll likely be in June with a third of the season played. MIA’s inexperience (but youthful exuberance) and NYM’s top dollar (and small change) additions bolster the rotation and replicate 2/3’s of the slug lost, they’ll be neck and neck. If…and a relatively big if…3 teams can hover around .500 or better, 3 will likely be in the postseason running until the last week of the regular season. Don’t see anyone running away with the division and the winner likely grades out at 87 wins with the runner-up squeaking into the last WC slot. Will take MIA, NYM, PHI, ATL, WAS in that order of finish.
dt
“There is no clear cut fave in the division”
FG division champion odds
Atlanta 47%
Mets 33%
Phillies 20%
Marlins 6%
Nationals 1%
PECOTA
Atlanta 45%
Mets 35%
Phillies 20%
Marlins 8%
Nationals 0%
And I liked LIKED ATL to have that bounce back year but the hits just keep on coming.
Nothing to do with last year. Its a lot of new parts to fit together and play out of position on the iffence side. I’m not sold on their rotation either. They could be really good if things go right, or worse than last year if the new parts don’t fit. Stearns is good at fitting parts together to make a whole, but that’s a lot of new parts. It will be interesting. Cheers dude.
Schwellenbach going down really hurts them. One article listed Joey Wentz as their number 4 starter. That’s not good (and I dont think its accurate either).
Skubal isn’t getting traded unless it’s trade deadline and they are out of it. They are shooting their shot this season.
I would really really really etc etc etc hate to see it. I could see the Dodgers going hard after Skubal. Trade half their minor leaguers away. Then sign him to a contract like Ohtani. Not sure many teams would be able to contend with them.
Would Skubal be the best pitcher on that team or would you rank Ohtani higher? I might take Skubal but is close.
I would love etc etc etc Seattle to trade for him and sign him to a long term deal. Would start with Kirby take a couple top 10 prospects not named Colt Montes (which could change depending on who else they wanted). Celestin might be a no go too. Is he just a young kid needing to grow up a bit or not going to be the SS we all thought.
We need to sign Gilbert to a contract extension before the season starts. He said last year after Cal signed he was ready to start his negotiations but knew had another year. The reason I put Kirby in the trade is he will be the hardest to sign I believe. Rumor is wants to go to East Coast. Detroit would make him much closer to that.
I put Yamamoto above both of them
Sloan/Anderson would for sure be part of the deal. Gilbert will get contract extension of close to 200 million per year. You also don’t have enough starters if you trade Kirby.
I’m guessing it’s Sloan/Anderson, Kirby, and Montes. Something like that.
Good tax planning for Verlander. Better “we are selling the team, so let the next owner pay for him” by Ownership. Twins fans should be pleased
Liabilities including future salaries will be included in the sale price. Who says the team is for sale?
A nice story. I think I had this happening last season. I had Scherzer to Detroit instead.
Way too much bad blood between Max and the Iliches. “If it never happens it’ll be too soon.”
Interesting, didn’t know.
This is exactly what the Pirates should do for Cutch. Put him in the bullpen.
except Cutch just played his last 3 seasons with the Pirates, therefore negating the need to bring him back for a 4th
Valid point
I know you mean Verlander but I love the idea of the Pirates signing Cutch as a bullpen arm.
JV finished out 2025 on a high note!
If we handle him the correct way I can see him making our rotation better!!!
Welcome home JV!!!
He needs 34 wins for 300, can he do it?
It would be beautiful to see, but no he can’t!
He would probably need 3 more seasons to pull it off, so I will say no.
Stinks that he missed 2 seasons with an injury or else he would be there.
If JV has a good, healthy season with 10 or more wins I think Tigers will re-sign him for 2027. Should there be a lockout, I think 2026 will be it for him. Either way, he’s a lock for Cooperstown and this increases odds he’ll have a Tiger hat on his HOF plaque! 300 probably not happening.
Detroit would be the place, esp if AJ employs pitching chaos on the fifth day. That way JV would only need to pitch innings 3-through-5 for the decision, and could get bumped a day if the opener were to get shelled.
Wasted millions of dollars on Miggy. Tigers might as well waste $13 million more to make the fans feel all warm. Meanwhile 50 years without a ring is coming up fast out of the easiest division.
Are you kidding? They have easily the best rotation in the AL. If that rotation stays even relatively healthy this team will be really really good. They’re going for it.
Blue Jays rotation is by far better. Jays just showed how talented they are and how far they can go. They added Cease and get a full year of Yesavage.
Cease would be no better than a 3 on the Tigers, possibly a 4. Yesavage would be getting the same opportunity as Melton.
How do you figure that the Jays rotation is “far better”? Skubal and Valdez and better than Cease and Gaus. Flaherty and Bieber both have upside to be high end guys, but Bieber’s health sounds precarious, while Flaherty lacked consistency last year. Yesavage is probably better than Mize, but he doesn’t have a track record in the majors. Verlander is a solid pitcher who has proven he knows how to adjust. Ponce is a guy who’s definitely got upside, but don’t forget he’s coming back to the US because he wasn’t good enough before he left. Olson is a front end guy if healthy, Jobe had just as much hype as Yesavage coming up, and Anderson was almost as good as Ponce last year in the same league. Not saying they can’t be comparable, but if anything it leans Detroit. Far better is a stretch
Jays legit might be 2nd or 3rd best team in their division
Tigers are clearly best team in Central by large margin
So its pedantic to argue which rotation is better because THIS Tigers rotation in THEIR division will equate to 90 wins at worst and 96-99 wins as baseline. Jays cannot say the same thing
Be mad TOR has three teams spending 200m on payroll in East or that Central has 4 teams spending below MLB average
I didn’t say the Tigers were the better team. I said that your claim of the Jays rotation being “far better,” is a stretch because it isn’t.
One good season and you guts think you’re a dynasty. SMH. You Jay fans need a dose of reality.
It’s not that they can’t be a really good team, but last year was out of nowhere. Can’t put them in the World Series again just yet
Mariners have a better rotation than Detroit or Toronto.
Not with that offense, they’re not. They are going to wilt against dominant pitching.
The AL Central might not exactly be a powerhouse. But since these rings aren’t minted for division wins, so there is rather little relevance.
Gruß,
BSHH
Must have missed this part:
Over his final 13 trips to the mound, he totaled 72 2/3 innings with a terrific 2.60 ERA, a 22.8% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate.
Damn I wanted JV but 13 is too much for my poor padres.
Feel like he may have a Pujols style final season where he returns to his old self in the Farewell season
You never have enough pitching. Good insurance in case of injuries.
Bet he has a great year
J.V, wow what a huge signing, as this looks like the best Tiger staff in a decade, from way back in the early teens. This is WAKU WAKU !
Let’s gooo.
I assume they plan to have him start, naturally, but I can’t help but wonder how his stuff might play as a leverage relief arm if the other SP options they have are healthy and sturdier.
They should sign Schezer too
@andrewc62
The prodigal sons return? I’m not sure that’s how the quote goes 😉
Jack morris is a young 70 he probably deserves consideration too
When I first read your comment that Jack Morris is 70, I thought how could thT be, then I remember. Ered I turn 70 in July
WOW. Never thought this would happen. All for it.
Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Mize, Flaherty likely rotation. Maybe Olson’s shoulder isn’t all that good right now.
That’s what I’m worried about, Doc. They already admitted Olson might not be ready for Opening Day which would be eight months after his injury. You’re the doc, but that seems like an ominous sign to me.
I do think it is ominous. My guess is Jobe and Olson to the 60 day IL to make room for JV and Valdez.
The Tigers will win the Central by at least 10 games if they don’t blow it up.
This just feels right. Good stuff.
Wow Roster Resource already has him penciled in!
Nice move for the Tigers. JV can still pitch.
Good pickup. I hoped the Astros would get him, but with the additions they made, it looks like Verlander coming back is gone. Hopefully he pitches well enough to get to 280 wins! And then comes back in his age 44 season.
thought ATL might go for him after the Schwellenbach bad news.
Hope he sticks around to win 300, only 34 games away. Too bad an obsolete team only produced 4 wins last year for him even with a 3.85 FIP/ERA. Smh.
Good for Tigers’ fans everywhere.
I wish we could get rid of the “this means Skubal trade” conversation. They’re not trading Skubal. They’re trying to win it all and Verlander won’t replace Scoobs production. Besides, no team is going to offer something now, with rosters largely set, that they weren’t willing to earlier in the offseason.
+34
Exactly, if anything this confirms that they view this last year with Skubal as the best chance to go all in. Verlander is about the best arm left who won’t require multiple years, and they even deferred as much of that one year as they could. Next season sans Skubal, Torres, Verlander, Flaherty actually has a ton of money coming off the books, either spend it all on a mega Skubal deal or spread that across the roster depending on how this year goes + lockout + new TV deal.
Skubal vs. Fried, Valdez vs. Schlittler, Flaherty vs. Rodon, Verlander vs. Cole gonna be a great ALCS this season!!!
Now, now, that’s a little too early to call, yes?
I’m pretty sure Toronto, Seattle and Boston are going to want to have a word about that.
Cease, Bieber, Gausman, Yesavage & Berrios.
One side will have Woo, Gilbert, Castillo and Kirby starting the ALCS.
Mariners have no depth for SP. That’s a problem. Let’s put Brown, Imai, Javier, Burrows, and Arrighetti in the ALCS!
Seattle may have no depth beyond the top 5, but only one of your guys even makes the M’s current rotation.
I’m assuming you mean Hunter Brown.
You have Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Bryce Miller. I doubt Miller and Castillo, and maybe Kirby is better than Imai.
I’ll take that bet. One day, Castillo will fall off, could it be this year? Maybe.. Miller is a bit of a conundrum since he was injured last year from bone spurs and that almost is certain to have been his issue, Unfortunately someone convinced him to just “rehab” the elbow. (As if bone spurs can be rehabed) So i do expect him to scuffle and eventually go down this year. But there is NO WAY Imai is better than Kirby.
But there is NO WAY Imai is better than Kirby.
I won’t say no way, but Kirby is better because he has more experience.
Are the Yankees trading all those pitchers to Seattle? 😉
ALCS Yankees vs. Mariners
Tigers vs Srattle sounds better. Winner takes all in 15 innings in Game 7 instead of game 5 this time. The two best rotations in the AL face off!
Okay you convinced me !
Seattle has a good rotation, but they don’t have depth. Depth is important. An injury to Seattle is tough to overcome, multiple will almost sink them.
@Astros71 – I’m sure you remember, they lost Gilbert, Kirby, Miller and eventually Woo last year. The first 3 for significant time. They still won 90 games and were 8 outs from the WS. And they have Kade Anderson sitting in AA this time.
Who else did they have? Logan Evans underwent surgery. Sure you have Anderson and Sloan but they are still in the minors and I doubt a team seeking a championship would be comfortable to rely on them pitching.
My point is, they didn’t have anyone reliable to replace them last year and still made it work, And Anderson is practically big league ready now. At least enough to be a 5th guy to keep you in a game if not more. Basically they are in the same place as last year when they had 3 guys down for major time and the only difference is that Anderson replaces Evens, And Anderson is better right now anyway.
He hasn’t even made his pro debut and you expect him to be able to play? The other thing is that Anderson could develop into an ace. Putting him up to early may not be good either. Just remember. Ya’ll have Cooper Criswell though.
Anderson is really talented and all and I know, but he’s not big league ready just yet. Maybe in say June? But I doubt he’s MLB ready now. He’s not going to hold up against say the Blue Jays’ offense.
Legit question. If the Tigers trade Skubel, what kind of ML offensive pieces could they get? Might actually make them a better, more balanced team.
They would get the Dodgers good outfield prospects and a couple good pitching prospects. River Ryan has ace potential.
Verlander’s coming back to Mo-Town.
Hope he has a Buster Posey-2021/Pujols-ish 2022 resurgence year.
The orange prophecy lives! Too bad it wasn’t the Orioles to complete the circuit.
that was my thought too – I was kind of hoping it was the orioles
Dang who’s next? Nate Cornejo? Bonderman? Mike Maroth???
If Holton gets hurt, I definitely think they should sign John Hiller
I hear Kenny Rogers is available.
Bad chicken! Mess you up
Them was some bad years!
Victor and Prince
get Scherzer back too while you’re at it. or at least back to Washington.
when stars embark on pilgrimages back to their homelands, it helps the game heal.
Andrew McCutchen is having the worst winter ever.
Tell that to the German army in the winter of 41-42.
@Enjoy sack lunch
The Napoleonic army just asked me to hold their beer.
BAM!!!!!!
Love it. Great move for depth and for us fans. Valdez and Verlander signings make me forget about them not adding a bat (which really is what McGonigle will likely be).
Verlander is rich enough. Nice of him to defer 11 million.
Don’t look now but the Tigers just blew by the first threshold of the luxury tax …top ten payroll! Assuming they keep Skubal.
Nope they deferred 11 million. Still below luxury tax
There’s nothing not to like about this signing. Low risk and high reward…to say nothing for the experience he can share with all of the young arms in our system.
Surprising with the bad blood between him and Hinch.
Slider – Money always trumps bad blood.
Another Tiger, David Price, couldn’t stand David Ortiz ….. didn’t stop Price from joining the Sox (although I wish it had!)
Also, Skubal is NOT being traded. I can’t believe that anyone would entertain that idea.
Olson and Anderson to pen.
Skubal, Valdez, Flaherty, Mize and Verlander start.
Pen could be formidable
Jansen, Vest, Finnegan, Holton, Olson, Anderson, Hurter, Hanifee
Toledo starters: Montero, Melton, Gibson-Long, Sommers,
Big question is who goes from the 40-man. Jobe has to be one.
However it shakes out, it’s a good “problem” to have
Good, now go get Scherzer.
Tigers now need to make two roster decisions to make Valdez and Verlander official. Drew Sommers and Bailey Horn, or somebody to the 60-man IL this early?
Can’t edit my comment, so I’ll acknowledge warnbeeb’s note that Jobe goes to the 60-man IL. For sure.
What a waste!!! Could’ve been spent on Gallen or someone who was dominating a year or two ago, not a decade ago!!!
I respectfully disagree. Verlander is only going to cost $2,000,000 this year.
Gallen will cost WAY MORE!!!
This is a good signing with a good structure IMO
Gallen costs a draft pick. Perhaps a small price to pay for an all in team, but if Skubal leaves as expected it would be nice to be able to pivot to the draft for some optimism.
Gallen would also cost another draft pick. That only adds to the financial cost.
Besides the fact that Verlander is going to be working for peanuts…this year, he is an absolute beast. The guy screams competitor. He even makes Skubal look soft. While his skills are not at Skubal’s anymore, he will take the ball and leave it all out there.
I’ve always felt that guys like Flaherty and Mize get a little flustered when they get knocked around early in a game, Verlander doesn’t. Maybe I’m being unfair to Jack and Casey, but I’ve never doubted for second that Justin Verlander ever got out of sorts on the mound.
I love it.
Verlander had a 103 ERA+ last season, 14 points better than Gallen who had an 89. There’s reasons why Gallen remains unsigned at this late date.
Nope. They’re going all in. They’d have to be absolutely blown away at this point.
not a Tigers fan but was at alot of Tigers games when Verlander was there since my buddy is a Tigers fan. This move just seems right. Farewell tour where he belongs and he still has something left to give them. Love it.
Everyone keeps saying “This means Skubal is being traded any second”
No…this team is going ALL IN!!!
Skubal ain’t going anywhere (at least this year)
Definitely an in-your-feels signing, but not like JV is a slouch either. It’ll be great to have him back, now everybody can dust off their 35 jerseys and fill the seats.
As to all the rotation questions above, it seems clear that Olson will get a spot when he returns, and that Melton is going to be used as a Swiss Army knife. I hope Keider can have a good Spring Training to force the issue, because I think he’s a good pitcher who needs to get settled.
With two plus pitches, Keider would make an excellent closer. However, he could be a major weapon as a starter if he can command his knuckle curve and changeup. Plus he has ice in his veins and that screams “closer.” Who can forget when they trotted him out in the 11th to save game one of the ALDS?
I hadn’t thought of that, but you bring up a great point. He’s got some kahunas out there. I’ve liked Keider from day 1. Takes the ball. Stands out there and deals. No drama. No whining. I bet Hinch and Fetter really like him. He does give off a bit of a closer vibe.
I’ve often wondered why some other team didn’t try to trade for him. I’m going to guess the Tigers may be thinking along your lines. Kudos.
I have tickets to the Tigers 1st ST game next week Saturday with the Yankees in Tampa.
Since they still have options, Keider and Melton will provide outstanding call-up starter depth for the inevitable spot starts that pop up during a season.
And still need a bat! But looks like they want to just see if Meadows, Keith, et al. can take a step forward, get Vierling back and healthy, and wait for McGonigle and Clark.
Huge year for Meadows and Keith. If Parker can revert to the late 2024 Parker Meadows and if Colt can take that next step, the Tigers lineup should be pretty solid.
Those are kinda big ifs, though.
Verlander looked a lot better as the season wore on. Always a gamble when a guy is past 40 but this is a good fit.
Be cool to see Detroit win one.
Can he be Nolan Ryan? We will see. Good luck to him and the Tigers.
Love it !
Going back to where it all started to end his career.
Anyone else kinda rooting for the Tigers to win it all now?
A deal sending Flaherty to the Athletics would get them back under the luxury tax and get them a decent prospect in return. The Athletics are begging for pitching and Flaherty has had stretches of being a very good starter.
Skubal, Valdez, Mize, Verlander and Melton or Montero or Anderson could be a pretty decent rotation. If they could get Tommy White from the Athletics, that might solve the 3B problem and add a righty bat.
I’ve been saying for years he should go back to Detroit lol
Scherzer is still a FA too
“logging a 3.85 ERA, a 20.7% strikeout rate, a 7.9% walk rate and a 34.5% ground-ball rate.”
So, a 97 FIP- and 110 xFIP-
“Over his final 13 trips to the mound, he totaled 72 2/3 innings with a terrific 2.60 ERA, a 22.8% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate.”
85 FIP- and 104 xFIP-
Not that much changed for him towards the end of the year. He gave up a few fewer flukey home runs. And got a couple more K’s
Bumping Reeae Olson from the rotation? Seems curious. Although, the way rotations get ravaged by injuries these days, this is probably more about rotation depth to make it through the season.
We’ll see, but Olson has shown he doesn’t hold up well. Maybe short stints will serve him better.
This means they have young pitching to trade. Melton would have major value. Tampa Bay is always looking to the future, and they just acquired Ben Williamson from Seattle. Melton, Keith and one of Briceno or Lorenzo for Junior Camenero and Jackson Braumeister.
@.stymeed
I love your takes and agree with most of them. Not this one, though, I don’t think we’re that desperate for third base help, not enough to give up Melton and Briceno! Keep those guys, Melton has TOR potential. If Keith, McKinstry, Vierling et al aren’t hitting enough for decent third base production, we can go and get someone at the deadline for less than Melton and Briceno… also, trading with the Rays just seems like a bad idea, likely to get fleeced!
I don’t know if that would be enough to get Caminero? I think Melton is going to be a stud..that would hurt but you gotta give something to get something. Keith TBD but for Caminero I’d say do it. Briceno I’d ship out. If TB would do that deal I would not be sad.
Delusional TB is not trading Caminero, he’s a superstar. He hit 45 HR as a 22 year old. They wouldn’t trade him for Skubal.
Tampa couldn’t afford Skubal.
when will we see the first 100% deferred contract?
With Tigers he may have a chance to get past 275 wins. Giants sure didnt help his cause last year.
My compliments to the Detroit Tigers. Not a Tigers fan but they are reaching outside their comfort zone as far as payroll and looks like a good year to be a Detroit fan.
Happy homecoming
There is a raw oyster in my pants because of this news
TMI
I have a gut feeling this doesnt work out well at all.
You want it to but im feeling a complete fall off for jv. Hopenim wrong.
This comes as a surprise, albeit an extremely pleasant one. Verlander was good last year and is projected for another solid season.
If we do not count on Olson, who is reportedly still injured, a Skubal/Valdez/Verlander/Mize/Flaherty-rotation looks good to me. Hopefully the young starters learn a lot in Toledo, because starts in Detroit might be difficult to come by.
The signing is good, but it feels even better. Despite shoring up the rotation with Valdez, the Tigers are adding not only a legendary pitcher, but their legendary pitcher. Opening Day seems so much more fun now than a few days ago!
Gruß,
BSHH
I know he’s old, but still, this is a pretty good rotation they’ve got right now!
he’ll be the last pitcher to win 250 and the last pitcher to lose 150. hope he goes out on a high note
Verlander may well be the last MLB pitcher to win 250 games… But he won’t be the last to lose 150.
Welcome back JV. This rotation is definitely the strength of this club and the bullpen is much stronger for sure. The team needs another right handed bat possibly to split DH time with Carpenter. A one year contract for Andrew Mcutcheon is a possible option and would come at a relatively cheap price.
@12kelly
Jones can put up much better numbers than Cutch and is already on the team. He won that spot over Ibanez last year.
Another pitcher “connected” to the Orioles.
Nice homecoming.
Hopefully he still has 2 or 3 more years left in that hall of fame arm.
Would love to see him hit 300 wins in such a storied career. What an athlete!
I’m glad the future Hall of Famer is coming home.
Then wearing the Old English D into Cooperstown if Tigs win it all.
If he goes 34-0 he will get to 300 wins.
Hey, it could happen…..
Love to see it. Now maybe the pirates follow suit and give McCutchen a farewell tour opportunity
If you’re a Guardians fan, you ought to wonder if your drought will ever end.
Yes, you are.
Olson is out for the year, which explains the Verlander signing. Skubal, Valdez, Flaherty, Mize and Verlander should be a fine rotation.
Is $13M for 140-150 innings for 4.00 FIP pitching a good deal? Seems about right to me.
Finally! Glad to see JV coming home, he should be a great addition to an already good team. Looks like the Tigers are going all in this year, a World Series will make everyone want to stay around too
Yep. To the Orioles for Mayo, Kremer, O,Neil, Brandon Young and Kjerstead..
Who says no ?
I went to two Giants games last year. Verlander pitched both against the A’s. First game we sat 2nd row directly behind the dish. Second game in Sacramento down the left field line. Cool story I know. Anyways, his stuff sucks.
You must have been watching with your eyes closed.
Good bargain contract. He helped them out to come back. Good story.
I am very disappointed he is not coming back to the Astros, but congrats Tigers fans, he is a class act and a champion of the game. I hope he does well for you.
This is the only Tigers responses/comments section I’ve seen in recent memory that doesn’t completely eviscerate Scott Harris. Shall I cut and paste it to sprinkle in as a timely reminder for Tigers commentary throughout the 2026 season?
I lived Verlander as much as the next fan and lived seeing him get his ring. But why are we paying $13 million for a guy who was what 4-11 last year, with an eta near 5? I a, nope I’m out on that.
3.85 is not really an ERA near 5.
True. But man a 4-11 record. I think the $ could have been better spent. Trying to win not have family reunions. Lol
Detroit has certainly separated themselves from the pack over the past week.
As for JV reaching 300, the biggest factor against it is a possible (probable?) work stoppage.
Over the past four seasons, since missing two years for surgery, he has averaged 20 starts and 10 wins.
Without a work stoppage, hes got a real shot.
300 wins would be an incredible feat, and something we will probably never see again. If he wasn’t in the AL Central (Guardians follower), I would be strongly pulling for him.
As it is, I will be quietly pulling for him.
Dang, only 4 wins in 29 starts is wild.
It is hard to fault Verlander for choosing Detroit, they have a good team and he can potentially put together some wins.
I am also rooting for Verlander to have a good season as he works towards 300 wins, it’s an epic record and his pursuit is one of the best stories in MLB.
I do believe that returning to Detroit is tiresome. It’s old history, old memories and sometimes, it is hard to work with all the baggage that will certainly be there in some way. It could be an exhausting year.
I thought the A’s were the team that offered JV the best opportunity at getting the record. Playing in the AAA ball field, sitting in the hot sun, grinding it out a little, would have given him some fortitude and some strength to push on.
There was no pressure in Sacramento. He could have focused on his record without having to make the team his top priority and the team would have been onboard with it because they are a year or two from having the pressure of winning on their backs.
A’s bullpen doesnt look great on paper but you watch hiw that comes together this season. If the A’s run Perkins, Ginn and Spence in relief, they will have a very good group.
Not sure he ever gets to 300. 34 away I believe. Ugh that’s like 3yrs because let’s be honest he’s not winning 15.
He could win 15 games with the Tigers if he gets all the breaks but Id say he is four to five seasons from the record.
If he has any hope to get 300 wins he has to committ to five more seasons and then he has to stay healthy and strong every season until his age 47 season.
I think he can do it, more difficult to land a rotation spot than when Moyer was pitching at 47 so he has to land with a team that will keep running him out there.
so he and manager Hinch reunite, probably some cheating to come.
This Red Sox fan is very excited for Detroit. Would love to see Sox v Tigers in the ALCS. Sox in six, I hope!
I would like to see Verlander in the back of the bullpen. Throw him 2-3x a week. He averaged about 5+ innings per start last year. Those 5 innings spread over a few games might be a good use. With that he has started 592 of the 593 games he’s pitched, which is wild.
I just put 3k on Tigers and Dodgers exacta at 40-1. Can’t wait to cash. V-land gonna win game 7 and retire.