The Detroit Tigers need to pursue Justin Verlander to solidify rotation

It wouldn’t just be a dream come true for Detroit Tigers fans; Justin Verlander could help bolster their starting rotation.

Picture this, Eduardo Rodriguez, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander, Matt Manning/Matthew Boyd, or Tyler Alexander as a starting rotation to begin the 2022 MLB regular season.

I’ve been wondering what kind of money Verlander would likely command on a two-year term, and we probably got a good indication this past Tuesday.  Noah Syndergaard signed a one-year deal worth $21-million to join the Los Angeles Angels.

Syndergaard is just 29-years old, and despite being ten years younger than Verlander, has likely set the 2019 American League Cy Young winner’s bar.  Many were shocked to see Syndergaard turn down the Mets one-year Qualifying Offer, but that decision made him about $3 million extra.

Syndergaard, like Verlander, basically hasn’t pitched in two years, and he missed all of 2020 and totaled two innings of work in 2021 for the Mets.  Syndergaard doesn’t have nearly the resume of Verlander but does have time in his favor being only 29.

Checking in on the latest Justin Verlander rumors and if the Detroit Tigers should consider a reunion.

Verlander hasn’t pitched since Houston’s opening day 2020, where he went six innings, giving up two runs en route to a victory.  So there is plenty to question surrounding his effectiveness and durability moving forward coming off of Tommy John’s surgery.

The former Tigers’ ace held a workout a few weeks ago to showcase his stuff, and it was said that he reached 96 MPH on the radar gun and looked very comfortable doing it.

Looking back at the future Hall Of Famer’s last two full seasons of work (2018-2019), Verlander went 37-15 with an earned run average of 2.55, a FIP of 3.03, and a WHIP of 0.851 while striking out 509 batters along the way.

If Verlander can be just 75-80% of the player he was just a couple of years ago coming back from injury over two years with the Detroit Tigers, he will help solidify the middle of this youthful rotation.

The Houston Astros have made Verlander a Qualifying Offer yet he is expected to reject it, but has not yet, I suspect after seeing Rodriquez, Syndergaard, and Jose Berrios (7/$140) signed for, it won’t be long before that QO is rejected.

ESPN insider Jeff Passan is suggesting Verlander, and the New York Yankees may be a match; just the thought of this makes my stomach churn.

Other outlets suggest the Los Angeles Dodgers after they opted not to extend a Qualifying Offer to Clayton Kershaw. They, like the Yankees, always seem to have an abundance of money to spend.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic feels like Verlander ends up with an east-coast team or the Detroit Tigers rather than travel out west.

The Detroit Tigers are also in the market for one of the big named free agent shortstops and have reached out to representatives of the big five; Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Javier Baez, Trevor Story, and Marcus Semien.

It’s clear that Al Avila and the Tigers have aspirations of making a playoff run in the coming years after adding Tucker Barnhart, signing Rodriquez, and being linked to a big-time free agent shortstop; adding Verlander and perhaps a bullpen arm will be the icing on the cake.

My best guess when it comes to Justin Verlander’s next deal, a two-year commitment worth in the $48-50 million range.