Exiting free agency early, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander has decided to remain with Houston, according to his brother, Ben Verlander.
MLB Twitter knew that Verlander might stay with the Astros, but the idea of the Cy Young Award-winning pitcher signing with the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels has been the fodder of online conversation for weeks.
Now, the conversation is over: Verlander has officially decided to remain in Houston and sign with the Astros, according to his brother Ben.
🚨IT’S OFFICIAL🚨@JustinVerlander is signing with Houston Astros!!
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 17, 2021
The @JustinVerlander deal with the Houston @astros is a 1 year, $25 million deal, with a player option for the 2nd year
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 17, 2021
Immediately following the announcement, MLB Twitter was in a frenzy about why Verlander stayed and what that means for the MLB.
https://twitter.com/duckisgod/status/1461106111520595979?s=20
MLB Twitter reacts to Justin Verlander surprise signing with Houston Astros
People also found is humorous that the big news break came from Ben Verlander, who is a FOX Sports baseball analyst.
Incredible scoop by Ben Verlander. Wonder who his source was? https://t.co/exxwbQ4QbH
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) November 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/EthanWoodall26/status/1461106111545847811?s=20
Yankees fans also explained why Verlander didn’t sign with New York — or, why New York didn’t sign him.
If you thought the Yanks would break the bank on Verlander when Cash has said SS and CF are priorities on top of the fact that Olson is very much in play you nuts. Cash was always going to put his big time money into SS/CF. If JV came at the right price then yes, but that was it
— Gerrit Cole stan (@KingGerritCole) November 17, 2021
Verlander essentially did this to Yankees fans! pic.twitter.com/YJD7rqX7A9
— HoustonHorn (@ndnpro64) November 17, 2021
Of course, there were also Yankees fans in denial of the Verlander announcement.
https://twitter.com/Jhoff10/status/1461105994222784518?s=20
There are plenty of MLB fans who are upset they missed out on signing the 38-year-old free agent, who was one of the best available pitchers on the market after Noah Syndergaard signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
No Verlander pic.twitter.com/FVqqAUfkRE
— Papa G (@papa_gardner11) November 17, 2021
Only way we get a starter is through trades, oh dear god
— FormulaYankee #ItsOver (@FormulaYankee) November 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/_ThatGuyEvan/status/1461106071645433856?s=20
White Sox fans that thought Verlander would be a white Sox pic.twitter.com/smO9HOM300
— Ryan (@Prime__Ryan) November 17, 2021
However, there are MLB fans who firmly believe the one-year deal wouldn’t have worked out best for their own team.
Smart move for the Tigers not to sign Verlander, especially for that price.
— DataBase Hit (@DatabaseHit) November 17, 2021
I prefer Freddie, Soler, Rosario, Buxton. I don't think we need Verlander. Duvall if 1 of the 3 OF's doesn't happen.
— GMAN Bills Fan From SC (@theo042296) November 17, 2021
Syndergaard for $21M >>>> Verlander for $25M
— Halos Die-Hard (@CDlovesAngels) November 17, 2021
Despite the big news, there are still big pitchers out there who are looking to get signed. Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman and Marcus Stroman are all in the hunt for big signings, both financially and time-wise.
The free agent market is alive and well especially for starting pitchers:
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) November 17, 2021
ERodriguez #Tigers $77m
Syndegaard #Angels $21m
Verlander #Astros $25m
On deck:
Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman and Marcus Stroman all of whom should land at least 5-years and $100m.
For now, Astros fans can wait as more details come out of the developing Justin Verlander story, and the rest of the MLB can either lament or rejoice that their own team wasn’t able to steal Verlander away from Houston.
Justin Verlander is back, more to come - https://t.co/NBeW8xyujp
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 17, 2021