The 42-year-old Verlander officially agreed to return to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, signing a one-year contract through the 2026 season. It will be worth $13 million and include $11 million in salary deferrals, with payouts beginning in 2030, according to multiple reports.
The Tigers have signed three-time American League Cy Young and nine-time All-Star RHP Justin Verlander to a one-year contract through the 2026 season. Welcome home, JV!
Verlander, who turns 43 later this month, began his career in the Tigers organization after being selected second overall in 2004. His first tenure with the franchise spanned 13 seasons, from 2005 to 2017, with six All-Star selections, one AL MVP and Cy Young Award each (both in 2011) and another three Cy Young finalist placements. He also won AL Rookie of the Year during his first full season in ’06.
The Tigers, who also added Framber Valdez and Drew Anderson to their rotation this winter, are now tied behind reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in starting pitching depth.
Based on Skubal’s reaction to the news of Verlander’s return, it’s fair to assume the game’s top starting pitcher is excited about the three-time Cy Young winner’s homecoming.
Now the veteran right-hander returns after splitting the past eight seasons between Houston, the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.
After injuries derailed Verlander in 2024, he returned to form last season, posting a serviceable 3.85 ERA with 137 strikeouts and 52 walks across 29 starts – the most he’s posted since ’19. Ultimately, he totaled 2.2 fWAR, tying Robbie Ray – who made three additional starts – for the second-highest among Giants pitchers, trailing only Logan Webb (5.5).
Verlander, who ranks second in strikeouts (2,373) and third in fWAR (57.9) all-time in Tigers franchise history, will have a chance to break camp alongside Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize in Detroit’s rotation this spring if he stays healthy.
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