Justin Verlander did not want his baseball career to end in 2025. Late in the season with the San Francisco Giants, he made it clear that retirement was not in his plans. Now, as a free agent, he must decide his next move on the diamond.
Verlander was paid $15 million by the Giants for the 2025 season. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects that Verlander could earn around $13 million on a one-year deal 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," McDaniel writes. "I assume he'll get a little less this year, though he could also get the same contract again."
Another possibility is for Verlander to return to his original team, the Detroit Tigers.
Despite his age, Justin Verlander remains a valuable asset with options to continue his career, offering experience to teams seeking a strong rotation.