“Verlander Watch: Can the Ace Pitcher Find a New Home Amid Flurry of Suitors?”

**Justin Verlander’s Market Heating Up as He Prepares for 20th MLB Season**

Justin Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is preparing for his 20th MLB season, and his market is starting to heat up. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, multiple teams are interested in the veteran right-hander, as well as his former teammate Max Scherzer, who is also looking for a one-year deal. The situation is similar to that of Verlander, as both are injury-shortened 2024 seasons.

Verlander’s 2024 season was marred by a shoulder injury during spring training, which limited him to just 90 1/3 innings. He then suffered a neck injury that sidelined him for more than two and a half months. When he returned, he struggled with an 8.10 ERA in 33 1/3 innings. In an interview, Verlander attributed his struggles to rushing back from the neck injury.

Despite his struggles, the good news is that Verlander is reportedly in great shape heading into the 2025 season. As he enters his age-42 season, many are wondering if he still has the upside to be a productive arm when healthy. Verlander has proven in the past that he can still pitch effectively, as seen in his 2022 season where he posted a 1.75 ERA and led the Houston Astros to a World Series title.

Even at an older age, Verlander’s market is still attractive due to his ability to be a productive arm when healthy. His neck soreness is a concern, but it is a relatively minor injury compared to others that could keep him out for a longer period. The uncertainty surrounding his health may be a factor in why teams are hesitant to commit to a longer deal.

Morosi did not mention any specific teams that are interested in Verlander, but it’s likely that any number of clubs could be a fit due to the ever-present pitching needs. As the offseason approaches, teams have had more time to evaluate his medical status and monitor the pitching market as a whole.

The Houston Astros, who previously employed Verlander, are one team that could be interested in bringing him back. General manager Dana Brown has already had a conversation with Verlander’s agent, indicating that the team may be willing to pursue him.

Despite the Orioles announcing Charlie Morton’s one-year deal, it’s still possible that other teams could be interested in Verlander. With his ability to be a productive arm when healthy, he could be a valuable addition to any team looking to bolster their pitching staff.

**FAQs**

Q: What is the latest update on Justin Verlander’s market?
A: According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, multiple teams are interested in Verlander, as well as his former teammate Max Scherzer.

Q: What was the reason for Verlander’s struggles in 2024?
A: Verlander attributed his struggles to rushing back from a neck injury that sidelined him for more than two and a half months.

Q: Is Verlander’s market attractive due to his age?
A: Despite being 42 years old, Verlander still has the upside to be a productive arm when healthy. His ability to pitch effectively in the past, such as his 2022 season, makes him an attractive option for teams.

Q: What is the uncertainty surrounding Verlander’s health?
A: Verlander’s neck soreness is a concern, but it is a relatively minor injury compared to others that could keep him out for a longer period. The uncertainty surrounding his health may be a factor in why teams are hesitant to commit to a longer deal.

**Json-LD FAQ PAGE**

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org/”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the latest update on Justin Verlander’s market?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, multiple teams are interested in Verlander, as well as his former teammate Max Scherzer.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What was the reason for Verlander’s struggles in 2024?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Verlander attributed his struggles to rushing back from a neck injury that sidelined him for more than two and a half months.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is Verlander’s market attractive due to his age?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Despite being 42 years old, Verlander still has the upside to be a productive arm when healthy. His ability to pitch effectively in the past, such as his 2022 season, makes him an attractive option for teams.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the uncertainty surrounding Verlander’s health?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Verlander’s neck soreness is a concern, but it is a relatively minor injury compared to others that could keep him out for a longer period. The uncertainty surrounding his health may be a factor in why teams are hesitant to commit to a longer deal.”
}
] }

**Conclusion**

Justin Verlander’s market is heating up as he prepares for his 20th MLB season. Despite his struggles in 2024, Verlander remains a attractive option for teams due to his ability to pitch effectively when healthy. With multiple teams interested in signing him, it’s likely that he will find a new home in the upcoming season. The uncertainty surrounding his health may be a factor in why teams are hesitant to commit to a longer deal, but for now, Verlander is looking like a valuable addition to any team looking to bolster their pitching staff.