There had been some talk that Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros may struggle to agree to terms on a short-term deal, but there may be a better chance of it than previously anticipated.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, it is at least “possible” that the Astros would be willing to go north of $60 million on a two-year deal to keep Verlander. Houston is an analytical organization that some believed would be hesitant to offer that kind of money to someone who will be 37 in 2020, especially with Verlander eager to set a new average annual value record for a pitcher.
Wrote today that an extension for Verlander with #Astros would appear to be a long shot. Sources today indicating a two-year deal for more than $60M is at least possible. Verlander earning $28M in 2019 and would want to approach Greinke’s record $34.4M AAV for a starting pitcher.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 22, 2019
Verlander has said he’d be willing to go short, but the caveat was that he added it would only happen if the value was right. That’s going to be the sticking point in any negotiations, and they could be fruitless if the Astros aren’t willing to push $35 million a year.
