Verlander and Giants agree to one-year contract, sources say

Right-hander Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants reach an agreement for one season and $15 million, sources told AM850

He right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants they arrived at a agreement about a contract by one year and 15 million dollarssources told AM850, continuing the future Hall of Famer’s career at age 42 in one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball.

Verlander, who is entering his 20th major league season, is considered perhaps the greatest pitcher of his generation, with the most innings pitched, strikeouts and wins among active players.

The three-time Cy Young Award-winning right-hander is coming off the worst season of his career and joins a Giants team that is also looking for better results than 2024.

Shoulder and neck injuries limited Verlander to 17 starts, and in his last seven, he posted an 8.10 ERA. With a declining strikeout rate and a rising home run rate, Verlander began to show signs of aging after a career in which he seemed immune to it.

After a dominant 13-year stint with the Detroit Tigers, Verlander found a second life after joining the Houston Astros in 2017. He won Cy Youngs in 2019 and 2022 — and after the latter signed a two-year deal for $86.6 million with the New York Mets. Verlander spent 16 starts with the Mets before being traded back to the Astros in August 2023.

Over his career, Verlander has a record of 262-147 with a 3.30 ERA in 3,415.2 innings. He has struck out 3,416 batters, walked 952 and won a pair of World Series with the Astros.

Returning to Houston was not an option for 2025. With Oracle Park a pitcher’s dream, Verlander gravitated toward San Francisco, whose rotation includes right-hander Logan Webb, left-handers Robbie Ray and Kyle Harrison, and several other options at fifth. position, with right-hander Hayden Birdsong seen as the most likely candidate.

The Giants had spent a month with limited action before signing Verlander. A month ago, they agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract with shortstop Willy Adames.

San Francisco, which hired former star catcher Buster Posey as its president of baseball operations in September, went 80-82 last year and finished in fourth place in the National League West, which is arguably the best division in the baseball.