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Justin Verlander draws interest from ‘multiple teams’

There is not much public discussion about this Justin VerlanderThe market may be starting to improve as the three-time Cy Young Award winner prepares for his 20th MLB season. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (video link) reports “Multiple teams [are] Interested in ‘right-handers’, as well as Verlander and former teammates Max Scherzer It’s a very similar situation with veteran stars looking for one-year deals as they look to bounce back from an injury-shortened 2024 season.

Verlander pitched just 90 1/3 innings last season before making his 2024 debut on April 19 when he was limited by a shoulder issue during spring training. That relatively minor issue was overshadowed by a neck injury in June that ultimately sidelined him for more than two and a half months, and Verlander played 33 1/3 frames after being activated from the injured list in August. Medium struggled to an 8.10 ERA. In late September, while discussing his health with reporters, Verlander said: “I think I came back from the neck injury a little quick…I want to be an asset to this team. In order to do that, I need to be able to pitch and figure out my own situation. Obviously, the results were not good. But there’s nothing you can do except try to sell it”.

The good news, Morosi said, is that Verlander is “in great shape” now and the future Hall of Famer is entering his age-42 season. Verlander enjoyed a reputation as a “workhorse” throughout his illustrious career, but as he grew older, more health issues inevitably emerged. Verlander missed nearly all of the 2020-21 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, missed several weeks of the 2022 season with a calf injury, and a teres major strain kept him out for the first month of 2023. In absence.

To be fair, the latter two injuries didn’t stop Verlander from pitching a total of 337 1/3 innings in 2022-23 and an additional 38 1/3 innings in the postseason. Especially with his 2022 campaign, the right-hander had one of his best seasons, posting a 1.75 ERA while leading Houston to a World Series title. Verlander regressed slightly in 2023 but still posted a 3.22 ERA in 162 1/3 innings with the Mets and Astros.

Even at 42 years old, Verlander still has a lot of upside, as he has proven that he can still be a productive arm when healthy. Obviously, his health is more of a question mark given what happens in 2024, but on paper, even serious neck soreness might not be as good to the team as an elbow or shoulder injury That’s a big red flag. It’s probably no surprise that Verlander’s market is starting to heat up as the offseason approaches, and following several other free agents and trades, teams have had more time to evaluate his medical status and monitor the pitching market as a whole. .

Morosi did not mention any specific teams that were considering Verlander, although any number of clubs could be a fit due to the ever-present pitching needs. It can be assumed that Verlander would prioritize joining a contending team, and Morosi’s suggestion that Baltimore might be a fit may no longer apply, as Morosi’s report came before the Orioles announced he was signing a one-year deal submitted. Charlie Morton. The Astros are the only team interested in Verlander, with general manager Dana Brown saying in November that he would “Had a conversation” with Verlander’s agent.

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