Detroit Tigers ace starting pitcher Justin Verlander signed a five-year extension on Friday that could be worth up to $202 million through 2020.
Verlander’s five year deal is worth $140 million which will keep him in Detroit through 2019. The contract also includes a one-year vesting agreement for 2020 that is worth $22 million.
Combined with the 40 million Verlander is still owed over the next two seasons, it could bring his total to $220 million by 2020. Verlander will be 37 by this time.
Contract numbers were first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.
Back in February, Verlander said he was interested in becoming baseballs first $200 million dollar player, and that is just what he did here.
Verlander on Twitter announced his excitement for the new deal by saying, “ I love this city & the fans – couldn’t be more excited to spend my career here! We’re going to bring a World Series to Detroit!!!”
Verlander is a five-time all star. He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2006, and the CY Young and MVP in 2011.
Last season he went 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA. 1.06 WHIP with 239 strikeouts in 238 1/3 innings pitched.
