Houston Astros protect themselves in Justin Verlander contract

It was not a surprise that the Houston Astros brought Justin Verlander back. They had made him the Qualifying Offer after all, and it was expected that he would either end up in Houston or back with the Tigers. The surprise was that Verlander landed a reported two year contract worth $50 million.

There is no questioning the type of pitcher that he can be when healthy. Back in 2019, he won the AL Cy Young award and showed no signs of slowing down despite his being in his late 30s. However, since the end of the 2019 campaign, he has made exactly one start, having missed most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery and the ongoing pandemic. The Astros were taking a major gamble with that two year contract.

Houston Astros protect themselves in Justin Verlander deal

Verlander’s contract is not quite what it had seemed at first. It is a one year deal with a $25 million player option for 2023. However, in order for Verlander to trigger that option, he needs to pitch in a minimum of 130 innings next year.

If healthy, that would not seem to be an issue. Verlander has surpassed that 130 inning mark in 14 of his 16 major league seasons, pitching over 200 innings in all but two of those years. He is one of the few true workhorse pitchers left in the majors.

But health is going to be a question. He will turn 39 years old in February and is likely to be brought along slowly through spring training and at the beginning of the regular season. The Astros are going to be cautious of their investment in the early going.

That caution should help Verlander reach his innings mark. While no one is expecting that he will be approaching the 200 inning mark next year, he should easily surpass the amount needed to trigger the option. That is, provided he stays healthy.

The Houston Astros have protected themselves in Justin Verlander’s contract. The second year is entirely contingent on if he can stay healthy.