The free agent pool just gained another big name.
Justin Verlander, who just earned his second World Series ring as a member of the Houston Astros, will be declining his player option with the team, becoming a free agent.
The veteran right-hander went 18-4 during the regular season with an MLB-best 1.75 ERA and is the overwhelming favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award.
Verlander won Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The soon to be 40-year-old will join aces Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodon on the free agent market.
Free agency gets underway this evening at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
News: Justin Verlander has officially opted out of his contract with the Astros, as expected. He’s a free agent. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 10, 2022
JV Enters Free Agency
This was ultimately an expected move by Verlander.
After missing almost a full two seasons thanks to Tommy John surgery, Verlander came back with a bang in 2022 and followed up his 2019 Cy Young season with another dominant campaign.
Now, the question is where Verlander will end up signing.
You can’t count out the defending champion Astros, who had signed him to a one-year deal prior to the start of the 2022 season.
If the New York Mets end up losing deGrom, perhaps Verlander could find a spot in their rotation.
The San Francisco Giants may also lose Rodon, so if that comes to fruition, San Francisco may come calling for Verlander’s services.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are another possibility, as they will be without Walker Buehler until 2024.
Verlander once again proved his worth in 2022 and is sure to garner plenty of interest and land a massive payday wherever he signs.