January 15, 2025

LINK TO ARTICLE: https://overthelinesports.ca/mlb/f/justin-verlander-and-the-giants-hope-to-rebound-this-season

Justin Verlander is looking to have a bounce-back 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, a team searching for likewise results. The 41-year-old righty has agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract to pitch for the Giants pending a physical, per Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers. 

After a disappointing 2024 season, there was some uncertainty about whether Verlander’s career would continue. Last year, Verlander made 17 starts for the Houston Astros, recording a 5.48 ERA. It was the worst statistical season of his career and the only time that he has recorded a negative WAR throughout his 19 seasons. 

Limited by shoulder and neck injuries, Verlander has posted an 8.10 ERA over his last seven seasons. His falling strikeout rates and climbing home run rates have demonstrated signs of age after a career in which Verlander seemed immune. 

Over his career, Verlander had a dominant 13-year stretch with the Detroit Tigers, then found a second home with the Houston Astros in 2017. After winning his third Cy Young award in 2022, Verlander signed a two-year contract with the New York Mets, spending 16 starts with the Mets before being traded back to the Astros in August 2023. The Giants are the fourth franchise he will have played for in the MLB. 

Entering his 20th season and turning 42 in February, Verlander has no desire to slow down anytime soon. With the Giants, he looks to add to his hall-of-fame resume which includes two World Series Championships, three Cy Young Awards, two ERA Awards, and an AL MVP. Verlander is considered one of the best pitchers of his generation, with the most innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins among active players.

The veteran pitcher is currently 38 wins away from joining the 300-win club, and with a full offseason to prepare for the 162-game stretch, the Giants may be able to help him get there. 

Buster Posey, president of baseball operations for the Giants, looks to turn the team around. The Giants went 80-82 last season and placed fourth in the NL West. The last month for the Giants has been relatively quiet, with their only acquisition being shortstop Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million contract. Now, exactly a month later, they have acquired Verlander. 

Verlander figures to fit into the back end of the team’s rotation consisting of Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison, and Jordan Hicks. If he can shake his bad year and perform similarly to how he did in 2023 with a 3.22 ERA, the Giants will have signed one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.