Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants have agreed on a one-year contract pending a physical, according to multiple reports.
Verlander, who will turn 42 by Opening Day, is the active leader in games started (526), wins (262), innings (3415 2/3) and strikeouts (3416). The right-hander’s resumé features an MVP, three Cy Young Awards, nine All-Star selections, two World Series titles and Rookie of the Year.
Despite his credentials, the right-hander is coming off the worst season of his career. In 17 starts with the Houston Astros, Verlander posted a 5.48 ERA with 74 strikeouts over 90 1/3 innings. Verlander missed most of last season due to right shoulder inflammation and neck discomfort.
It is currently unclear how the Giants’ rotation will shake out with the addition of Verlander. As constructed, San Francisco’s rotation features Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong. Regardless of what the Giants do with their rotation, Verlander stands to serve in a mentorship role to Birdsong and Harrison, who will both be 23-years-old on Opening Day.
Verlander already has plenty of history with the Giants and president of baseball operations Buster Posey. In Game 1 of the 2012 World Series at Oracle Park (then AT&T Park), Pablo Sandoval hit two of his three home runs off Verlander, who allowed five runs across four innings. San Francisco went on to sweep the Detroit Tigers, winning their second championship in three years.
This story will be updated.