Giants' Justin Verlander's Free Agent Contract Details After Retirement Choice
Justin Verlander made it clear late in the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants that he did not want his baseball career to end yet and was not planning to retire. Now a free agent, he faces the decision of what’s next in his pitching career.
Contract and Performance Overview
The Giants paid Verlander $15 million for the 2025 season. Despite a slow start, he improved significantly by the season’s end. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicts Verlander will earn around $13 million in a one-year contract for 2026.
“Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Giants last year, and they got what they paid for: He was even a bit better in 2025 than 2024 by some measures. I assume he'll get a little less this year, though he could also get the same contract again.”
Future Prospects
Turning 43 on February 20, Verlander is a future Hall of Famer but is approaching the stage where maintaining his high performance is uncertain. The Giants’ rotation lacks depth, and keeping Verlander could benefit a team aiming to contend, although not yet a top contender.
Additionally, there is speculation about Verlander potentially returning to the Detroit Tigers, the team where he began his major league career.
Related Context
- The Cubs recently made a bizarre decision that unexpectedly turned Shota Imanaga into a free agent.
Author's summary: Justin Verlander’s 2025 season with the Giants showed resilience; as a free agent at 43, he faces crucial decisions about continuing in MLB amid interest from multiple teams.