The Houston Astros are reportedly in talks with Justin Verlander’s agent, Mark Pieperexploring the possibility of bringing back the 42-year-old pitcher for the 2025 season. Verlander, three-time Cy Young Award winnerstruggled during an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, but his illustrious career keeps him in the conversation for a return to Houston.
Astros initiate offseason talks
The general manager of the Astros, Dana Brownconfirmed the discussions on the podcast Baseball Tonight d’ESPN :
“We had conversations with his agent just to assess the situation. I don’t know if there’s been much progress, but we’re having conversations.”
Verlander’s 2024 season was far from his best. He posted a 5-6 record with a ERA of 5.48 over 90.1 innings—the lowest total of his regular season career outside of the shortened 2020 season. Plagued by shoulder and neck injuriesVerlander admitted to rushing his return in September, which further impacted his performance.
Despite these difficulties, Verlander remains one of the most accomplished pitchers in MLB history, leading all active players in innings pitched (3,415.2), wins (262) and starts (526).
Verlander’s Value: Risk vs. Reward
At 42, Verlander isn’t expected to get another massive contract like his two-year, $86.7 million contract with the Mets in 2023. However, his career longevity and track record could still appeal to teams willing to bet on a bounce-back year.
The 2023 Statcast metrics showed encouraging signs, with the pursuit rate, walk rate and average fastball velocity (94.3 mph) of Verlander all remaining above average. Additionally, his reputation as a fierce competitor and locker room leader could tip the scales for interested teams.
The Houston Perspective
The Astros, who won the AL West in 2024 without major contributions from Verlander, still value his history with the franchise. Verlander played a key role in their 2017 and 2022 World Series titles and won two Cy Young awards (2019, 2022) during his time in Houston.
GM Dana Brown expressed his admiration:
“JV has had an incredible career here in Houston. He’s done so many good things here.”
What’s next for Verlander?
Verlander’s injuries in 2024 highlight the risks of signing an aging pitcher, but his potential as a veteran arm could intrigue other teams besides Houston. His future contract—likely a short-term deal with incentives—will depend on whether teams focus on his 2024 struggles or his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
For now, the Astros are keeping the door open for a possible reunion as Verlander weighs his options heading into his 20th MLB season.
