Justin Verlander has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
The 36-year-old starting pitcher told Fancred Sports on Wednesday he plans to pitch into his mid-40s.
Justin Verlander is a free agent for 1st time after year and while “I plan to pitch into my mid 40s,” he also said, “I don’t need to sign a 5-year deal.” JV, 35, is OK going shorter and betting on himself, as long as value is right; he’s “cognizant” of potential effect on market.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2019
The 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young award winner has thrown 2,759 innings in his 14 years in MLB. He's coming off a season in which he struck out a career-high 290 batters and posted an average fastball velocity of 95.1 mph, which is as high as it was in his first full season in 2006 with the Tigers.
Verlander has shown no signs of slowing down over his last year and a half of baseball and has actually seen an uptick in velocity since 2015. He is a free agent, but told Fancred Sports he isn't looking for a huge long-term contract.
"I don't need to sign a five-year deal," he said.
He would be willing to re-sign with the Astros if they would have him.
“I haven’t shut the door — good team, good guys,” he said.
Verlander hasn’t ruled out staying with the Astros, if they show interest. “I haven’t shut the door — good team, good guys,” he said. At this stage, he said that’s as important as anything.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2019
Houston acquired Verlander in August 2017 and he helped the Astros win the first World Series in franchise history.
He finished second in the AL Cy Young voting last season as Houston fell in the ALCS to the Red Sox in five games.