Tigers, Justin Verlander Agree To Five-Year Contract

It wasn't long ago that reports surfaced of productive contract negotiations between the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander. Today, though, the two sides have come to an actual agreement, as the Tigers have locked up their ace to a five-year deal:

Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the deal had not been announced. The person said the contract could be completed as soon as Thursday.

Verlander is coming off a breakthrough season in which he either led or finished near the league lead in practically every significant pitching category. His 10.1 K/9 was among the best in baseball history, and his fielding-independent statistics -- numbers that attempt to isolate the work of the pitcher from the work of his defense and environment -- had him as arguably the second-best starter in the AL last year. In no hurry to let that kind of arm get away, the Tigers got to work on keeping him around.

The obvious comparison here is Felix Hernandez, who signed a $78m/5-year deal a few weeks ago. Both Hernandez and Verlander are entering their fifth year of team control, meaning that their contracts buy out two years of arbitration and three years of free agency. While Hernandez is three years younger than Verlander, the two have pitched as approximate equals, explaining why their deals look so similar. Long-term contracts to pitchers are always a risky venture, but there's no indication that either is due for a decline.

For the Tigers and their fans, this deal not only makes sure the staff ace sticks around, but it also helps ease any concerns there may have been that ownership isn't committed to putting money into the team. This extension comes on the heels of a $14m/2-year contract for closer Jose Valverde.

Read more about the story at Bless You Boys.