3 teams that need to go all-in on Justin Verlander

1. Houston Astros

If there’s any team that needs to make a run to ensure they get Justin Verlander to sign on the dotted line, it’s the Astros.

Last year, the Astros found a way to keep Verlander on a two-year, $50 million contract, making sure they didn’t lose him to the New York Yankees. Verlander recorded a 1.75 ERA, a 0.829 WHIP, and 18 wins, all of which were American League highs.

Verlander did have a rough start to the postseason, surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners, but he since rebounded. He broke the postseason record for most strikeouts recorded all-time at the expense of the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Then, he did his part in pitching the Astros to a Game 5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies to bring them one win away from their second World Series title.

Astros owner Jim Crane did mention that Verlander is looking for a similar deal that Max Scherzer received from the Mets (three-year, $130 million).

The Astros have a very good, young starting rotation, so there’s a way to keep Verlander. If they plan on continuing propping open their championship window, they need to re-sign Verlander.