The Houston Astros have continued their effort on keeping talent in the organization with the contract extension of ace right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander. According to Jeff Passan, it is a two-year, $66 million deal. This extension will start after this coming season.
Justin will have a secure home for the next three years. This season, he will go to battle as part of a starting rotation that will also include Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley, Collin McHugh, and Brad Peacock, who was just announced as the fifth man in the rotation for opening day.
Verlander told the media last month about what he has experienced in his time with Houston so far.
“The city, the fans, my teammates, the organization from top to bottom — from Mr. Crane all the way down to the locker room — stuff has made my transition easy and joyful,” Verlander said. “I felt accepted right away, and I really enjoyed my time here. That’s a testament to all those people.”
During the 2018 season, Verlander complied a 16-9 record with an ERA of 2.52. The 36-year old started in all 34 games in which he appeared. In those starts, Verlander struck out 290 batters in 214.0 innings pitched and had a WHIP of 0.90.
“Clutch City”… How about “Rich City”?
That is now just under $200 million that the Astros have spent in extensions this offseason. In addition to Verlander’s deal, they gave a $100 million extension to star 3B Alex Bregman and a two-year contract extension to RHP Ryan Pressly for $17.5 million starting next season, with a $10 million vesting option for 2021.
In total, that is $183.5 million, potentially $193.5 million, that Houston has just spent through contract extensions that will last all the way to 2023.
Verlander will get the ball to open the 2019 regular season for Houston when they face the Tampa Bay Rays on March 28th at Tropicana Field.
