The San Francisco Giants made an intriguing offseason move by signing Justin Verlander to a one-year, $15 million contract. While Verlander’s Hall of Fame credentials are unquestionable, concerns about his age and recent struggles have raised doubts about his future performance. At 42, Verlander is coming off a challenging 2024 season with the Houston Astros, posting a career-worst 5.48 ERA over 90.1 innings. However, early signs in Spring Training suggest he might still have something to offer.
In his first three appearances in Arizona, Verlander has shown promise, recording a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings with a 1.00 WHIP. Opposing hitters have batted just .225 against him, a significant improvement from last season’s .274. His fastball, once the cornerstone of his dominance, remains effective, even reaching 96 mph in a recent outing against the Athletics. For a pitcher nearing 45, that’s an impressive achievement.
While Verlander’s early performance is promising, concerns about his long-term durability and effectiveness persist. Injuries hindered his 2024 season, resulting in a lower strikeout rate and inconsistent command. His Baseball Savant metrics, which once showcased his elite ability to overpower batters, saw substantial declines last year. His strikeout rate dropped to 18.7%, well below his career average, and his once-dominant swing-and-miss stuff was noticeably missing.