Earlier this week, Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract. It was a significant move for the Astros considering they weren’t the only American League contender interested in the two-time Cy Young winner.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman just revealed that Verlander received interest from the New York Yankees. He was also offered a one-year deal worth $25 million.
The reason Verlander accepted the Astros’ offer is because it included a player option for a second season.
“Yankees offered Verlander $25M 1-year deal,” Heyman tweeted on Saturday afternoon. “Solid offer but weren’t going to beat the $50M 2-year deal with opt out he got from Astros.”
Yankees offered Verlander $25M 1-year deal. Solid offer but weren’t going to beat the $50M 2-year deal with opt out he got from Astros
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 20, 2021
Verlander would’ve been a perfect fit alongside Gerrit Cole in the Bronx, as we’ve already seen the two aces have success together in Houston.
At 38 years old, Verlander was wise to accept a deal that gives him options past next season.
If Verlander returns to his All-Star form in 2022, he could decline his player option and revisit the open market. And if things don’t work out, he can always pick up his $25 million option for the 2023 season.
Verlander missed the entire 2021 season because he underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. In 2019, he had a 21-6 record with a 2.58 ERA and 300 strikeouts.
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