Justin Verlander and the Giants on Saturday finalized a one-year deal that was first reported earlier this week. Verlander's contract is worth $15 million.
Verlander, who turns 42 next month, is only two seasons removed from winning his third Cy Young Award in 2022 with the Astros. He signed a two-year, $86.7 million contract with the Mets after that season and then was dealt back to Houston at the 2023 Trade Deadline.
A likely future Hall of Famer, Verlander is a former MVP, two-time ERA title winner and two-time World Series champion with the Astros. He was hampered by shoulder and neck injuries last year, pitching to a 5.48 ERA over 17 starts, but the Giants are taking a flier on his veteran clubhouse presence and playoff pedigree.
The Giants, under new president of baseball operations Buster Posey, were in the mix for top free-agent ace Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the division-rival D-backs last month.
With most frontline starters off the board, the Giants opted to pivot to a short-term pact with Verlander, who will give the club another established arm to pair alongside Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in the rotation.
While he’s coming off a down year, Verlander has a 3.30 career ERA over 19 Major League seasons and could serve as a valuable mentor for younger starters like Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp, all of whom figure to be part of San Francisco’s starting mix in 2025.
Posey and Verlander previously faced off during the 2012 World Series, when the Giants swept the Tigers in four games to claim their second championship title in three seasons. Verlander started Game 1 for Detroit, but he ended up allowing five runs over four innings, including two of Pablo Sandoval’s three homers.
Verlander is the second free agent to sign with the Giants this offseason, joining shortstop Willy Adames, who was awarded a seven-year, $182 million deal last month. San Francisco is reportedly among the contenders for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, but any other additions are more likely to come on the offensive side, as the club still has room to upgrade at first base, designated hitter or the outfield.
Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, Jurickson Profar and Ha-Seong Kim are among the most notable hitters left on the open market, though Alonso, Bregman and Santander would cost a Draft pick to sign since they turned down qualifying offers in November.