LAKELAND, Fla. (WWJ/AP) — Guess who's back? Justin Verlander is going back to his first big league team, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, is looking to rebound from a frustrating year with San Francisco.
The deal for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030.
While many fans were surprised when the news broke on Tuesday, veteran Michigan sports announcer Dan Dickerson says he certainly thought this was a possibility.
"He wanted this, he wanted to pitch into his mid 40s," said Dickerson, speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Jeremy Otto. "And he has dedicated, you know, every year working. He's had some injuries, but to get back to 160 at age 42 with some injuries? Pretty impressive."
"But this is how he's prepared his whole carrier," Dickerson said. "He wanted to pitch into his mid-40s, and he is."
Verlander’s 266 victories are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton's 3,574.
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