Justin Verlander Declines Player Option, Elects Free Agency
As expected, Justin Verlander has declined his $25 million player option for 2022. The ace right-hander will hit the free agent market for the second consecutive year, looking to land another lucrative deal.
Verlander had a dominant season at age-39, posting a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts. He led the American League in ERA, wins, WHIP, and hits per nine. On Monday, he was named a Cy Young finalist for the eighth time in his career
The nine-time All-Star was also instrumental in the Houston Astros' World Series run. He was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the Fall Classic, throwing five innings of one-run ball against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Owner Jim Crane has already made it clear that re-signing Verlander is a priority this offseason. He seems to believe the feeling is mutual, telling Mark Berman of Fox 26, "I think he wants to stay here. He's got a good chance to win here."
While many pitchers would be considering retirement after seventeen big league seasons, Verlander has no plans to slow down anytime soon. "I obviously was gifted to throw a baseball," he told press ahead of the ALCS. "So why would I stop that short?”
More From SI's Inside The Astros:
- Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
- Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
- Can the Houston Astros Handle the Loss of Yordan Álvarez?
- Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
- Grading the Houston Astros MLB Trade Deadline Transactions
- Jeremy Peña isn't Competing for Rookie of the Year, And That's a Good Thing
- Houston Astros Poised to Make Another World Series Run
- Mancini Mania: Behind the Houston Astros' Latest Streak of History
- Trey Mancini Gives Houston Astros a Much Deeper Lineup
- Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball
Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!
