Detroit Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander signed a five-year, $80 million deal to stay with the team.
I think it is a good move., especially after they traded popular center fielder Curtis Granderson. The Granderson trade wasn't about money, it was about the fact the Tigers' brass think Granderson will never be a superstar so a deal was cut to get some talent back while his value was high.
I like Granderson a lot but I won't down the until we see what the pitchers and outfielder Austin Jackson can do.
As for Verlander, he's had some good years and bad, but he is among the best arms in baseball so you have to shell out some cash to keep him. As with any big contract, things could be good, great, or bad.
I think Verlander will be very good for a while and will live up to his potential. Is that worth $80 million? In the scheme of how good players sell tickets and merchandise, and how good players attract other good players (when the Tigers signed Pudge for example), Verlander's worth could exceed his contract's value.
Will it mean a World Series ring? Verlander can't do it by himself but he is a good start.
The only thing bothered me with the signing is how Verlander stated at the press conference was his one goal is to make it to the Hall of Fame.
Uh...a championship should be his one goal.
Maybe I am being nit-picky but I want my teams fighting for titles and not personal glory.
The 2010 season will be an interesting and painful one for the Tigers. We'll see some good play out of some of the new players and some bad. If I had to guess at a number of wins right now, I'd say about 75. Next year, several fat contracts fall off the books so the team will be going through some big changes over the next couple seasons.
Signing Verlander adds some stability.
Until next time, enjoy Michigan and Goooooo Tigers!
