The Houston Astros surprised everyone when they acquired Justin Verlander last minute at the Trade Deadline two seasons ago, and now they are going to make sure that everyone gets use to the sight. Houston signed Verlander to a two-year contract extension on Saturday, which is worth $66 million. That keeps him in Houston through the 2021 season, as the two sides were said to be close, according to owner Jim Crane, on Friday. This new contract prevents Verlander from becoming a free agent, which he would've done after the 2019 season.
In his first full season in Houston, Verlander went 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and led the American League with 290 strikeouts. He was second in the American League Cy Young race, only behind Blake Snell of the Tampa Bay Rays. He joined the Astros in the final minutes of the August 31st deadline in 2017, which then led the Astros to a World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers that season. Houston won the American League West Division last season, but was eliminated by the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.
Verlander did win the Cy Young and MVP Awards in the American League during the 2011 season with Detroit, and is a seven-time All-Star over 15 major league seasons. During that MVP season, the right-hander had 24 victories, a career-low 2.40 ERA, and 250 strikeouts over 251 innings pitched, which both led the American League. In 419 career starts, the future Hall of Famer is 204-123 with a 3.39 ERA and 2,709 strikeouts. In his Postseason career, Verlander has gone 13-7 with a 3.19 ERA in 25 appearances, including 24 starts. He has been dominant since joining Houston, including a 5-0 run with a 1.06 ERA after getting traded there in 2017, and looks to stay that way in search for more success along with this major money.
In his first full season in Houston, Verlander went 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and led the American League with 290 strikeouts. He was second in the American League Cy Young race, only behind Blake Snell of the Tampa Bay Rays. He joined the Astros in the final minutes of the August 31st deadline in 2017, which then led the Astros to a World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers that season. Houston won the American League West Division last season, but was eliminated by the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.
Verlander did win the Cy Young and MVP Awards in the American League during the 2011 season with Detroit, and is a seven-time All-Star over 15 major league seasons. During that MVP season, the right-hander had 24 victories, a career-low 2.40 ERA, and 250 strikeouts over 251 innings pitched, which both led the American League. In 419 career starts, the future Hall of Famer is 204-123 with a 3.39 ERA and 2,709 strikeouts. In his Postseason career, Verlander has gone 13-7 with a 3.19 ERA in 25 appearances, including 24 starts. He has been dominant since joining Houston, including a 5-0 run with a 1.06 ERA after getting traded there in 2017, and looks to stay that way in search for more success along with this major money.
