The San Francisco Giants have signed prolific award-winning pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year deal pending a physical, ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The 41-year-old has quite the baseball career as a three-time Cy Young Award winner, MVP, Rookie of the Year, nine-time All-Star, two-time ERA champ, Triple Crown winner, two-time World-Series champ, and ALCS MVP. Verlander will be looking to rebound from his 2024 season, as a shoulder and neck injury impacted him. Verlander joins many other pitchers whose 2024 season was affected by injuries. He also missed out on playing in the postseason for the Houston Astros.
BREAKING: Right-hander Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a one-year contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. The future Hall of Famer, who turns 42 next month, will spend his 20th season with the Giants.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 7, 2025
Verlander is looking to offer as much as he can for 2025 with his veteran experience as one of the greats. He is looking to return to pitching and fine-tuning his pinpoint accuracy and pitching mechanics. Verlander has the urgency for a bounce-back season in 2025. But even despite a down 2024 season, Verlander still put up notable stats in 2024. According to Baseball Savant, Verlander ranked in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit %, the 68th percentile in barrel %, and the 67th percentile in BB %. But some areas with his pitching that he needs to work on are his extension and Whiff %.
Veteran Starter Justin Verlander Signs With Giants
Verlander entered free agency in his final year as an Astro in a two-year, $86.7 million contract. He will be looking to rebound from his 2024 stats, sporting a 5-6 record with a 5.48 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 90 1/3 innings pitched. Verlander has joined the elite list of pitchers continuing into their forties such as Max Scherzer. His commanding presence on the mound has made him a driven veteran who has led the AL in strikeouts five times. He’s been given the nickname “Optimus Prime” because he demonstrates the strong qualities of a leader, which relates to the mythical character. With the Giants signing Verlander, they will gain leadership in their rotation and clubhouse.
Verlander will enter 2025 as one of the most experienced starting pitchers in MLB. He has thrown three no-hitters in his career. But Verlander was also the first pitcher in MLB history to demonstrate another impressive no-hitter statistic. Two of his no-hitters in a row came on the road against the same opposing team (Toronto Blue Jays). However, Verlander has achieved many other notable milestones in MLB history. For example, becoming the first pitcher since Cy Young (1908) to pitch at 39 or older with an ERA under 2.00.
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