Justin Verlander, the 41-year-old three-time AL Cy Young Award winner, has announced his intentions to continue his legendary MLB career into the 2025 season, despite a challenging 2024 campaign. Verlander, left off the Houston Astros’ roster during their AL wild-card series loss to the Detroit Tigers, spoke after the team’s elimination and confirmed he is not yet ready to hang up his cleats.
The Astros’ early playoff exit, which came after back-to-back losses to the Tigers at home, marked the end of Houston’s streak of reaching at least the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for seven consecutive seasons. Verlander, a key figure in that success in recent years, was sidelined due to shoulder issues that plagued much of his season.
In 2024, Verlander posted a 5-6 record with a career-worst 5.48 ERA over 90 1/3 innings, spread across 17 starts. Injuries limited him to his lowest innings total since his two-start MLB debut in 2005, outside of the shortened 2020 season and his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. His struggles, however, did not deter his desire to continue pitching.
An important detail in Verlander’s future involves his contract situation. As reported by The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, Verlander’s 90 1/3 innings pitched fell short of the 140 innings needed for his $35 million option to vest for the 2025 season, meaning he will now enter free agency. Despite the tough season, Verlander remains optimistic about his ability to contribute on the mound in 2025.
While his 2024 performance may have been below his usual standards, Verlander’s career résumé speaks for itself. With an AL MVP Award, nine All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, and a 2022 World Series championship under his belt, Verlander’s legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of the 21st century is already secured. His induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame is a certainty, but the right-hander has made it clear that he’s not ready to close this chapter of his career just yet.
Verlander’s ability to bounce back from adversity has been a defining trait throughout his career. Just last year, he posted a solid 13-8 record with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, following up on his AL Cy Young Award-winning 2022 season at 39 years old.
Though his future team remains uncertain, Verlander’s determination to keep pitching means MLB fans will likely see him back on the mound next season. Whether or not he returns to Houston or dons a new uniform, Verlander’s passion for the game and desire to prove himself once more will keep him as one of the most compelling players to watch in 2025.
