Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, has agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract to return to the Detroit Tigers, the team where he played for most of his early career, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on February 10. This deal marks a significant reunion as Verlander heads back to the organization where he spent the first 13 seasons of his Major League Baseball career.
Career Highlights and Previous Tenure with the Tigers
Verlander’s initial stretch with the Detroit Tigers extended through 13 seasons before he was traded to the Houston Astros midway through the 2017 season. Throughout his career, he has established himself as one of MLB’s most accomplished pitchers. Verlander earned his first American League Cy Young Award alongside the AL MVP and the pitching Triple Crown in 2011, cementing his elite status.
Over the years, Verlander secured nine All-Star selections and contributed to two World Series championships with the Astros. He earned multiple accolades including two All-MLB First Team honors, 2006 American League Rookie of the Year, 2017 ALCS MVP, and the 2022 AL Comeback Player of the Year award. Additionally, he has led the American League in wins four times, ERA twice, and strikeouts five times, and has pitched three no-hitters in 2007, 2011, and 2019. Verlander also holds the Major League Baseball record for postseason strikeouts with 244.
Recent Performance and Tigers’ 2025 Season
In the 2025 season, Verlander played for the San Francisco Giants, where he appeared in 29 starts, finishing with a 4-11 record, a 3.85 ERA, and 137 strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers posted an 87-75 record in 2025, securing a Wild Card playoff berth. Their postseason run ended after being eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series, underscoring the team’s competitive position entering the new season.
Significance of Verlander’s Return to Detroit
As Verlander prepares to turn 43 next week, his return to Detroit carries meaningful implications for both the pitcher and the Tigers. Given his history with the team and his status as a future Hall of Famer—he is set to wear the Tigers cap in Cooperstown—the signing bolsters Detroit’s pitching rotation with veteran experience. His presence is expected to add leadership and depth as the Tigers seek to build on last season’s performance and contend more strongly in the American League.
“Right-hander Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year contract. Verlander, 43 next week, returns to the team with which he spent his first 13 seasons and whose hat he’ll wear in the Hall of Fame,”
Passan wrote.
