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Detroit Tigers have brought a familiar face back home, reuniting with franchise icon Justin Verlander on a one-year deal as they look to add experience, stability, and leadership to their pitching staff ahead of the 2026 MLB season.
Verlander, who began his Major League career with Detroit in 2005, agreed to a one-year contract worth $13 million, with $11 million deferred. The move marks a full-circle moment for Tigers and the veteran right-hander, who is set to enter his 21st Major League season at age 43.
A decorated career comes full circle
Few pitchers in modern baseball boast a résumé as accomplished as Verlander’s. Over two decades in the league, he has captured three Cy Young Awards, earned nine All-Star selections, won two ERA titles, and secured the 2011 American League MVP Award. He is also a two-time World Series champion and one of just six pitchers in MLB history to record three or more no-hitters.
Beyond the regular season, Justin Verlander’s postseason pedigree adds significant value to Detroit Tigers’ roster. Across more than 226 playoff innings, he owns a 3.58 ERA and was named the 2017 AL Championship Series MVP during his time with the Houston Astros.
Proving he still has it
Despite his age, Verlander showed in 2025 that he remains a dependable starter. Pitching for the San Francisco Giants, he posted a 3.85 ERA over 29 starts while surpassing the 3,500-strikeout milestone. He currently ranks eighth on MLB’s all-time strikeout list with 3,553 punchouts.
While the days of consistently hitting triple digits with his fastball are behind him, Justin Verlander adapted effectively. His ability to limit hard contact stood out last season, with a 37% hard-hit rate that ranked in the 78th percentile among qualified pitchers. Opponents hit just .200 against his changeup and an astonishing .058 against his sweeper, highlighting the continued effectiveness of his secondary pitches.
A low-risk, high-reward addition
From a roster-building perspective, Detroit Tigers face no draft-pick penalty for signing Verlander, as he was not eligible for a qualifying offer. That makes the deal a calculated, low-risk move for a team seeking veteran guidance alongside its younger arms.
After joining the Giants last offseason, Justin Verlander made his intentions clear, stating his goal was “proving that I still have it” while expressing hope to pitch until at least age 45. With his return to Detroit, he now gets the chance to continue that pursuit in the city where it all began.
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