OT: Verlander declines $25M option
Justin Verlander has declined the player option from the last year of his contract that would have paid him $25M.
Coming off of a World Series win and another potential Cy Young Award, does he retire on top? Or does this lead to a possible return to the Tigers to end it where it all began?
What say you?
Justin Verlander opts out of contract, becomes free agent - mlive.com
November 10th, 2022 at 4:14 PM ^
Let’s pray and hope he does.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:14 PM ^
RETVRN
November 10th, 2022 at 5:12 PM ^
I see what you did there!
November 10th, 2022 at 4:16 PM ^
OK, these are fine questions and speculation. But MUCH more importantly, if he does come back to Detroit, does Kate Upton come with him?!?!?!?
November 10th, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
She'll go back to St. Joe. Back to simpler times.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
if he can surprise return to Detroit he could also surprise return to Emily Yuen
November 10th, 2022 at 7:08 PM ^
...and leave Kate,.. no way
November 10th, 2022 at 10:09 PM ^
ThatsTheJokedotgif
November 10th, 2022 at 10:23 PM ^
Please? We've got room. I've been blue since she left.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:20 PM ^
Verlander's 2022 salary of $25M placed him tied for 22nd highest paid MLB player (source). Scherzer and Cole are the top paid pitchers at $43.3M and $36M. I'm guessing this is just business, and he is looking to sign a two year contract worth more than the $25M he just turned down.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:59 PM ^
This ^^^
He would be stupid to not turn this year in to at least a 2 year guaranteed deal if not 3. He is looking at $75-100 mil in earnings over the next 2-3 years. Pretty good gig if you can get it.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:21 PM ^
That's a lot of money to walk away from... even if you're JV.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
he is hardly walking away from it...he will sign a new deal worth at least as much whenever he wants. This is likely just about giving him more flexibility.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
If I were him, I’d retire on top. Too many athletes don’t know when to hang it up. If he can actually be done, or come back to the Tigers for one last hurrah, it only adds to his legend. One of the best to ever do it. While selfishly I want him to play forever, after a long career he’s probably about done whether he wants to be or not. Still my favorite Tiger.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
Not many people would walk away from the 2 or 3 year contract he will sign this offseason. I heard close to 3 years for 100 million dollars is possible.
If you would walk away from that, then you are in the vast minority I believe.
The common argument of "he has more money than he could ever need" still does not lead me to believe that a high percentage of people would turn it down.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:56 PM ^
That's probably true. Money is money. Can't have enough of it.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^
Enough? Depends on your lifestyle. Sometimes, you hit your goal assets number, run the math, and say: "I'm done".
I do not think it is about assets for JV, I think it's about gauging if he still wants to compete.
November 10th, 2022 at 8:07 PM ^
sure, but some guys keep saying 'i'm done', but they don't mean it and start right back up. they just 'jet' off to another gig, another challenge, another thing to make into success. those guys, boy, you never know when you're going to meet one of them. and JV is probably one of them, too. so is brady, unfortunately at the possible expense of his marriage, but that is another discussion.
November 10th, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^
True, true, very true, amigo. 🙂
(Guilty as intimated)
I think the difference is that athletes have to rely on their body's strengths, reflexes, and "muscle memory" capabilities, which capabilities undeniably fall off --- while serial entrepreneurs only need capital resources plus a good idea and a junior partner or two to "get up and do it again".
It's a bit like coaching. That's cerebral. You can coach into your late 60s and even your 70s (relying on assistant coaches to do some of the "heavy lifting"); same as you can launch and operate startups (with juniors) into your late 60s and 70s.
Marriages, making those last? That's something that requires constant attention, sometimes delightfully so. 😉
November 10th, 2022 at 8:46 PM ^
just find a gem and you’re all set…
November 10th, 2022 at 10:15 PM ^
Maybe he wants to earn more than his wife for at least once in his pro career--something Tom Brady never did.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:56 PM ^
this. MLB contracts are guaranteed. sure seems like the cheatin’ ‘stros are being cheap this off-season.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:46 PM ^
What does this have to do with the astros? He opted out.
November 10th, 2022 at 5:15 PM ^
Yeah but he actually learned how to win a game in the World Series now!
November 10th, 2022 at 4:31 PM ^
I think he believes he can still get to 300 career wins. I would love it if he were to return to Detroit. I might even go to a game then.
November 10th, 2022 at 7:38 PM ^
That would not be a very efficient way for him to achieve such a goal.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:39 PM ^
No way does he retire. My guess is that he signs again with Houston, but regardless, is likely looking at a 2-3 year contract. After all, regardless of age, he will be the current Cy Young winner.
November 10th, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
Unfortunately, it won't be for coming to Detroit. He will get more money and I get the sense he will play until he gets 300 wins. It will take him twice as long to get to 300 wins with Detroit's sad sack of hitters. He will sign with a contender and get more money to boot. Book it!
November 10th, 2022 at 4:56 PM ^
Yeah, no chance he's coming here. Gee, I could go back to the cold-weather team with no chance of contending that happily traded me away for peanuts, or pick a winner that pays me serious money and surrounds me with talent.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:22 PM ^
I'm sure he knows what's available. $25 million seems like a lot for a 40 year old pitcher but then again what do I know.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
He just had his best year pitching. A contender will gladly give him big money in hopes he has one or two years left.
November 10th, 2022 at 7:06 PM ^
"Best year".. nope
November 10th, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
Nolan Ryan left Houston, and never won a Cy Young award.
November 10th, 2022 at 6:59 PM ^
You guys. He only declined it so he can sign another two year deal with a player option the second year and make like 10 more million dollars next year lol. That’s business.
November 10th, 2022 at 7:01 PM ^
He's coming back. I just talked to him about it so book it buddy.
November 10th, 2022 at 7:05 PM ^
Retire to beach with Kate
November 10th, 2022 at 8:36 PM ^
He ain't coming to the Tigers.
November 10th, 2022 at 8:46 PM ^
Inflation. $25 Million does not buy what it use to.
November 11th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
He's not coming back to Detroit on this deal if he in any way wants to try and chase 300 wins. If he gets there he'd likely be the last ever pitcher to reach the milestone. He'll almost certainly sign with a team that gives him the best chance to get close over the next 3 years.
November 12th, 2022 at 12:33 AM ^
F Chokelander who never stepped up for Detroit on the biggest stage.
F anyone that disagrees.
Send this post to Bolivia, I don't give a single shit anymore.