The Detroit Tigers have emerged as one of the most unexpected success stories of the 2024 MLB season.
At 80-73, the Tigers are remarkably alive for a Wild Card spot. Entering the season with relatively low expectations, Detroit has silenced the doubters and could very well find themselves in October baseball.
As they edge closer to a possible postseason berth, the Tigers are also positioning themselves for a potentially significant offseason move: bringing Justin Verlander back home.
With a roster built around a promising young core and plenty of financial flexibility, the Tigers are expected to be active in the offseason.
One intriguing possibility, highlighted by MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand, is a reunion with the future Hall of Famer who launched his career in Detroit.
“I could see GM Scott Harris try to sign Justin Verlander to a homecoming, finish-your-career-back-in-Detroit kind of deal,” Feinsand speculated.
Verlander, who has battled neck issues throughout the 2024 season, is unlikely to meet the 140-inning threshold required to trigger his $35 million vesting player option for the 2025 season.
As a result, he’s expected to become a free agent, setting up the possibility of a return to the Tigers as he approaches his 42nd birthday.
A short-term contract would likely be in play for Verlander, given his age and recent injury history.
This would enable Detroit to offer a competitive deal without compromising their future financial flexibility – important for a team looking to lock up its young stars.
Verlander has struggled this year, posting a 4-6 record with a 5.20 ERA and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 15 starts – by far the toughest season of his storied 19-year career.
With the Houston Astros rotation performing well overall, there is even uncertainty about Verlander’s role in the team’s postseason plans.
Having said that, Houston manager Joe Espada made it clear that he’s optimistic Verlander can bounce back in time for October.
“I still think that JV is going to turn it around and start pitching to his capabilities. But with Valdez, Brown, Kikuchi and Blanco, I think we can stretch it out where we can make it work,” Espada said.
A return to Detroit would offer a different dynamic.
In a rotation led by AL Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal, alongside rising stars Reese Olson and Keider Montero, Verlander wouldn’t need to carry the same Cy Young-level expectations.
Instead, he could transition into a veteran leadership role, mentoring the Tigers’ young pitching staff while providing valuable experience on the mound.
Verlander’s legacy in Detroit is already cemented. During his 12-and-a-half seasons with the Tigers, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2006, won both the Cy Young and MVP awards in 2011, and made six All-Star appearances.
He also played a crucial role in leading the team to four AL Central titles and a World Series appearance in 2012.
To this day, Verlander is absolutely beloved in Detroit and (some) Tigers fans celebrated when JV won the World Series with the Astros.
What are your thoughts on the reports of a potential reunion?
In the bigger picture, just how much does Verlander have left in the tank???
