For the first time in seven seasons, the Houston Astros have failed to reach the American League Divisional Series.
The team was swept by the upstart Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card round and now face the prospect of rebuilding a contending roster.
Most notably, it will have to negotiate an extension with third baseman Alex Bregman or watch him walk away in free agency. But the fate of another franchise staple, nine-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, could be a little more clear.
Listing the Astros players who “definitely won’t be back” for next season, Cody Williams of FanSided predicted that Verlander’s tenure in Houston has come to a close.
“The fact that Verlander was left off of the Astros roster for the Wild Card Series against the Tigers tells you everything you need to know about the future of the veteran right-hander with this organization,” per Williams. “The injuries and underperformance make it easy to wonder if his best days are behind him and, with some of the young arms that emerged in Houston this season, it’s hard to envision the 41-year-old being part of their plans moving forward.”
Verlander is among the last remaining ace pitchers of a generation that included Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Jacob deGrom, all of whom have struggled to retain their prior forms on the mound this year. The 41-year-old has a career 3.30 ERA, 262 wins and 3,416 strikeouts across 19 major-league seasons. But this latest campaign was not up to his usual standards.
Making just 17 starts for the Astros amid persistent injuries, he gave up a 5.48 ERA. As he worked back from injury, the Astros elected not to reserve a roster spot for him in the first round of the playoffs.
As an impending free agent, Verlander could find himself a home on another big-league club. But it seems likely his historic time in Houston is over after a tough season.
“Such a tough season, the toughest season since I’ve been here,” Verlander told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome after the team’s playoff exit. “Being able to respond through all the issues and injuries is impressive. Would’ve liked to have capped it off with a World Series championship, but obviously that’s not in the cards.”
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