The only transactions that are allowed in Major League Baseball are minor league deals. Due to the lockout, teams cannot sign players and put them on the 40 man roster, nor can they invite those minor league signings to spring training. Unless, apparently, the team in question is the Houston Astros.
The Astros had reportedly signed Justin Verlander to a two year deal worth $50 million in the hours prior to the lockout. However, that deal was never made official, leaving him in limbo. That changed on Monday, when the league and MLBPA allowed the deal to go through.
Justin Verlander’s two-year, $50 million agreement for '22-'23 with Houston has been given formal approval by Major League Baseball, even at a time when the owners have locked out the players in the on-going labor battle.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 13, 2021
MLB and the union have worked through the final details.
Houston Astros officially sign Justin Verlander
On the positive side, the league and the Player’s Union were able to work together to accomplish something positive. Verlander is officially back in Houston where he is expected to return to his place as the ace of the pitching staff.
As it turns out, there were some questions about the contract Verlander signed. There were problems with the language in the contract, which has since been resolved, allowing the league to put that signing through.
Regardless of the rationale, this leads to more questions about the league and their treatment of the Astros. Considering the relatively minor punishments handed down for AstroGate, the fact that they were allowed to make this signing official during the lockout will only lead to more accusations of favoritism and lead one to wonder what compromising pictures the owners have of Rob Manfred.
This does, however, put an end to the Justin Verlander Saga. He is officially back in Houston, with any questions as to what was happening having been answered. Even though it was known that he would be returning, it has finally happened.
Justin Verlander is back with the Houston Astros. Any questions about his contract have finally been answered to the league’s satisfaction.