Justin Verlander, two months away from turning 40, was officially introduced by the Mets on Tuesday, signing a deal that will take him through at least 42 years of age.
But why stop there?
"It would be a disservice to everybody that's given me their time and effort, including myself, to not squeeze every last ounce out of my career," Verlander told reporters on Tuesday. "We as athletes don't have a long runway…my goal is to extend that runway as long as possible."
Verlander has been linked to Tom Brady as a future Hall of Famer that has been seemingly ageless, and could play into years of age that have rarely been seen before in professional sports. Verlander won a Cy Young award and a World Series at 39 years old, so he doesn't see why he can't play to 45 years old, or even longer.
"I will be extremely proactive in doing everything I can to play as long as I can and be as successful as I can, and healthy," Verlander said. "If that's 45, great. It's an easy number to look to, it's a nice round number…but if I find myself at 45 pitching well and being healthy, then why would I stop?"
Verlander has already completed 17 big league seasons, and in his most recent one, led the league in wins, ERA, and WHIP. So he doesn't see why he has to think about when the end could be, at least not yet.
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