Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander told Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports that “of course” he wants to become Major League
Baseball’s first pitcher to garner a $200 million contract.
"Of course," he told Yahoo! Sports on Friday morning. "I don't play this game to make the most money. But I do feel like it would be nice to be compensated for what I feel like I've been: one of the best, if not the best, the last few years. In my career, I feel like I've been one of the top. But the last two years, I've kind of separated myself, me and a handful of other guys.”
Verlander views the prospect of free agency as something
that’s “really cool,” but he did say that he doesn’t think he has to hit the
open market for receive a $200 million deal. This would hint at his belief that
he can reach an extension agreement with the Tigers prior to reaching free
agency.
While last year at this time a $200 million extension may
have seemed out of reach, Felix Hernandez’s recent seven-year, $175 million deal with the Seattle Mariners has helped Verlander’s cause.
The Mariners aren’t a club known for spending big, something
the Tigers have developed into in recent years. Detroit has signed free agent
sluggers Victor Martinez and Prince Fielder and right-hander Anibal Sanchez after
it appeared they already had competitive clubs.
For this reason, you can bet Detroit will make Verlander a
competitive offer in an attempt to ensure he continues his career with the
club. The 30-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.40 with a 3.09 strikeout-to-walk
ratio, and he has an American League MVP and Cy Young Award under his belt.
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Seeing Verlander get $200 million would not surprise me on bit.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. If Verlander won't be the first to get $200 million, who will?
ReplyDeleteDon't do it, Detroit. He's hot now, but a lot of pitchers lose it after a big contract - remember Zito.
ReplyDelete