Justin Verlander
After spending a majority of the 2017 season with a team that had no chance of competing, the Detroit Tigers traded Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros, and ultimately, helped him become a World Series champion. He had to allow the trade to happen because of a no-trade clause in his contract. And it looks like that decision paid off for him.
Entering his age 35 season, Verlander continues to etch his way as one of the top pitchers of the 2000s. To go along with his already Rookie of the Year award, Cy Young award and MVP, Verlander has some career milestones within reach over the next few seasons.
For the 2018 season, Verlander has a good shot to reach 200 wins. The right-hander possesses 188 wins at the moment, leaving him 12 shy of the 200-win mark.
Of course, 200 wins isn’t as remarkable as 300 wins, but nonetheless, the achievement is still impressive, especially when the game is vastly changing into a bullpen-heavy style.
When Verlander reaches 200 wins, he’ll become the 117th pitcher to do so. Since 2006, Verlander’s recorded at least 13 wins in 10 out of the last 12 seasons. And with the high-powered offense of the Houston Astros, he should get a good amount of opportunities to pitch with a lead in 2018.