Justin Verlander

Detroit Tigers, Starting Pitcher
Age: 43y-0m-15d (Feb 20, 1983)
Exp: 20.002 Years
Country: US
College: Old Dominion (VA)
Drafted: Round 1 (#2 overall), 2004
Agent(s): Mark Pieper, Mike Milchin (ISE Baseball)
2026 Payroll Salary

$7,800,000

2026 Cash

$2,000,000

Career Earnings

$409,254,888

2026-2026 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Justin Verlander signed a 1 year, $13,000,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $13,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,000,000. In 2026, Verlander will earn a base salary of $13,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $13,000,000. Verlander's adjusted salary with the Detroit Tigers is $7,800,000
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $13,000,000
Average Salary:
$13,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2027 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
20.002
Year Age YOS Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2026 43 20.002
Estimate
 $7,800,000 $10,000,000 4.10% $2,000,000 $2,000,000
2027 44 -
UFA
Deferred Money
2030 47 - - - $1,100,000 -
2031 48 - - - $1,100,000 -
2032 49 - - - $1,100,000 -
2033 50 - - - $1,100,000 -
2034 51 - - - $1,100,000 -
2035 52 - - - $1,100,000 -
2036 53 - - - $1,100,000 -
2037 54 - - - $1,100,000 -
2038 55 - - - $1,100,000 -
2039 56 - - - $1,100,000 -
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2026 43 20.002
Estimate
 $13,000,000 - - $7,800,000 $10,000,000
2027 44 --
UFA
Deferred Money
2030 47 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2031 48 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2032 49 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2033 50 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2034 51 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2035 52 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2036 53 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2037 54 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2038 55 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
2039 56 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2026 43
Estimate
 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $13,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
Deferred Cash
2030 47 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $11,000,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2031 48 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $9,900,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2032 49 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $8,800,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2033 50 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $7,700,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2034 51 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $6,600,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2035 52 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $5,500,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2036 53 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $4,400,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2037 54 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $3,300,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2038 55 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $2,200,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
2039 56 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000
Contract Notes

  • $11M deferred at $1.1M each 2030-2039

Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2025 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $15,000,000
Average Salary:
$15,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
19.002
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2023-2024 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $86,666,666
Average Salary:
$43,333,333
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
17.002
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2022-2023 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $50,000,000
Average Salary:
$25,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
16.002
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2020-2021 Extension

Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $66,000,000
Average Salary:
$33,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
13.002
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2013-2020 Extension

Contract Terms:
7 yr(s) / $180,000,000
Average Salary:
$25,714,286
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
7.001
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2010-2014 Arbitration Extension

Contract Terms:
5 yr(s) / $80,000,000
Average Salary:
$16,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$500,000
YOS @ Signing:
4.001
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2009-2009 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,675,000
Average Salary:
$3,675,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.001
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2005-2009 Rookie

Contract Terms:
5 yr(s) / $4,450,000
Average Salary:
$890,000
Signing Bonus:
$3,150,000
YOS @ Signing:
0
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Seasons

20.002 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$409,254,888

Earnings w/ Different Teams

4 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Service Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2005 22
0
Active / Pre-Arbitration Bypassed
$3,466,000
$3,466,000
2006 23
0.002
Active / Pre-Arbitration Bypassed
$350,000
$3,816,000
 AL ROY
2007 24
1.002
Active / Pre-Arbitration Bypassed
$400,000
$4,216,000
2008 25
2.001
Active / Pre-Arbitration Bypassed
$500,000
$4,716,000
2009 26
3.001
Active / Arb Avoided
$3,975,000
$8,691,000
2010 27
4.001
Active / Arb Avoided
$7,250,000
$15,941,000
2011 28
5.001
Active / Arbitration 3 Bypassed
$13,250,000
$29,191,000
 AL MVP AL Cy Young
2012 29
6.001
Active
$20,000,000
$49,191,000
2013 30
7.001
Active
$20,000,000
$69,191,000
2014 31
8.002
Active
$20,000,000
$89,191,000
2015 32
9.002
Active
$28,000,000
$117,191,000
2016 33
10.002
Active
$28,000,000
$145,191,000
2017 34
11.002
Active
Retained
$4,743,169
$23,256,831
$149,934,169
$173,191,000
 Champion
2018 35
12.002
Active
Retained
$20,100,000
$8,000,000
$193,291,000
$201,291,000
2019 36
13.002
Active
Retained
$28,075,000
$8,000,000
$229,366,000
$237,366,000
 AL Cy Young All MLB (1st)
2020 37
14.002
Injured
$12,222,222
$249,588,222
2021 38
15.002
Injured
$33,000,000
$282,588,222
2022 39
16.002
Active
$25,000,000
$307,588,222
 Champion AL Cy Young All MLB (1st)
2023 40
17.002
Retained
$43,333,333
$350,921,555
2024 41
18.002
Active
Retained
$18,333,333
$25,000,000
$369,254,888
$394,254,888
2025 42
19.002
Active
$15,000,000
$409,254,888
Total      
$409,254,888
$409,254,888
2026 43
20.002
Active / estimate
$2,000,000
2030 47
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2031 48
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2032 49
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2033 50
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2034 51
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2035 52
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2036 53
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2037 54
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2038 55
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
2039 56
20.002
Deferred
$1,100,000
Total
$422,254,888

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
15 $180,297,831 $3,650,000 $500,000 $184,447,831
7 $141,298,724 - $175,000 $141,473,724
2 $68,333,333 - - $68,333,333
1 $15,000,000 - - $15,000,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2005
22
$316,000
$3,150,000
$3,466,000
$3,466,000
2006
23
$350,000
$350,000
$3,816,000
2007
24
$400,000
$400,000
$4,216,000
2008
25
$500,000
$500,000
$4,716,000
2009
26
$3,975,000
$3,975,000
$8,691,000
2010
27
$6,750,000
$500,000
$7,250,000
$15,941,000
2011
28
$12,750,000
$500,000
$13,250,000
$29,191,000
2012
29
$20,000,000
$20,000,000
$49,191,000
2013
30
$20,000,000
$20,000,000
$69,191,000
2014
31
$20,000,000
$20,000,000
$89,191,000
2015
32
$28,000,000
$28,000,000
$117,191,000
2016
33
$28,000,000
$28,000,000
$145,191,000
2017
34
$4,743,169
$23,256,831
$4,743,169
$23,256,831
$149,934,169
$173,191,000
2018
35
$20,000,000
$8,000,000
$100,000
$20,100,000
$8,000,000
$193,291,000
$201,291,000
2019
36
$28,000,000
$8,000,000
$75,000
$28,075,000
$8,000,000
$229,366,000
$237,366,000
2020
37
$12,222,222
$12,222,222
$249,588,222
2021
38
$33,000,000
$33,000,000
$282,588,222
2022
39
$25,000,000
$25,000,000
$307,588,222
2023
40
$43,333,333
$43,333,333
$350,921,555
2024
41
$18,333,333
$25,000,000
$18,333,333
$25,000,000
$369,254,888
$394,254,888
2025
42
$15,000,000
$15,000,000
$409,254,888
Total
$404,929,888
$3,650,000
$675,000
$409,254,888
$409,254,888
2026
43
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
2030
47
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2031
48
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2032
49
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2033
50
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2034
51
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2035
52
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2036
53
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2037
54
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2038
55
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
2039
56
$1,100,000
$1,100,000
Total
$417,929,888
$3,650,000
$675,000
$422,254,888

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
15 $180,297,831 $3,650,000 $500,000 $184,447,831
7 $141,298,724 - $175,000 $141,473,724
2 $68,333,333 - - $68,333,333
1 $15,000,000 - - $15,000,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2025 SF May 22, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025 Pectoral
2024 HOU Jun 16, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024 Neck
2024 HOU Mar 28, 2024 - Apr 18, 2024 Shoulder
2023 NYM Mar 30, 2023 - May 04, 2023 Shoulder
2022 HOU Aug 30, 2022 - Sep 16, 2022 Calf
2021 HOU Apr 01, 2021 - Oct 03, 2021 Elbow (Tommy John)
2020 HOU Jul 27, 2020 - Sep 27, 2020 Arm
2015 DET Mar 29, 2015 - Jun 13, 2015 Arm
  • Feb 10, 2026 Signed a 1 year $13 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Jan 07, 2025 Signed a 1 year $15 million contract with San Francisco (SF)
  • Aug 01, 2023 Traded to Houston (HOU) from New York (NYM) for Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford
  • Dec 07, 2022 Signed a 2 year $86.6 million contract with New York (NYM), including a $35 million vesting option for 2025
  • Nov 10, 2022 Declined a $25 million player option for 2023 with Houston (HOU)
  • Nov 17, 2021 Signed a 2 year $50 million contract with Houston (HOU)
  • Nov 17, 2021 Houston (HOU) extended Qualifying Offer
  • Mar 23, 2019 Signed a 2 year $66 million contract extension with Houston (HOU)
  • Sep 01, 2017 Traded to Houston (HOU) from Detroit (DET) with $16,000,000 and future considerations for Franklin Perez, Daz Cameron and Jake Rogers
  • Mar 29, 2013 Signed a 7 year $180 million extension with Detroit (DET)
  • Feb 04, 2010 Signed a 5 year $80 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Feb 03, 2009 Signed a 1 year $3.675 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Oct 22, 2004 Signed a 5 year $4.45 million contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Jun 07, 2004 Drafted by Detroit (DET): Round 1 (#2 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2025 SF 29 29 155 74 65 52 137 16 4 11 0 152.0 3.85 1.36 1.19
2024 HOU 17 17 98 56 55 27 74 15 5 6 0 90.3 5.48 1.38 -0.37
2023 HOU 28 27 139 63 58 45 144 18 13 8 0 162.3 3.22 1.13 3.51
2022 HOU 28 28 116 43 34 29 185 12 18 4 0 175.0 1.75 0.83 5.62
2020 HOU 1 1 3 2 2 1 7 2 1 0 0 6.0 3.00 0.67 0.15
2019 HOU 34 34 137 66 64 42 300 36 21 6 0 223.0 2.58 0.80 7.39
2018 HOU 34 34 156 63 60 37 290 28 16 9 0 214.0 2.52 0.90 6.30
2017 HOU 33 33 170 80 77 72 219 27 15 8 0 206.0 3.36 1.18 6.93
2016 DET 34 34 171 81 77 57 254 30 16 9 0 227.2 3.05 1.00 7.36
2015 DET 20 20 113 56 50 32 113 13 5 8 0 133.3 3.38 1.09 2.40
2014 DET 32 32 223 114 104 65 159 18 15 12 0 206.0 4.54 1.40 0.93
2013 DET 34 34 212 94 84 75 217 19 13 12 0 218.3 3.46 1.32 4.40
2012 DET 33 33 192 81 70 60 239 19 17 8 0 238.3 2.64 1.06 8.09
2011 DET 34 34 174 73 67 57 250 24 24 5 0 251.0 2.40 0.92 8.62

Calculated Market Value

$7.8M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $7,848,606
  • Avg. Salary: $7,848,606
  • MLB Rank: 211
  • SP Rank: 72

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2027
  • Avg. Salary: $13,000,000
  • MLB Rank: 133
  • SP Rank: 48

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Justin Verlander to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Jose Quintana 1 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 36
Max Scherzer 1 $15,500,000 $15,500,000 40
Clayton Kershaw 1 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 36
Zack Greinke 1 $8,500,000 $8,500,000 39
Averages 1 $8,875,000 $8,875,000 37.8

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Verlander's current age (43), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
1 $8,875,000 $8,875,000

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Verlander statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR

Player GS/Yr IP K/9 BB/9 ERA WHIP FIP WAR
Jose Quintana
2023-2024
 22.00 5.59 7.14 3.09 3.66 1.28 4.04 3.24
Max Scherzer
2023-2024
 18.00 5.44 9.28 2.37 3.86 1.14 4.25 3.45
Clayton Kershaw
2023-2024
 15.50 5.22 8.28 2.72 3.48 1.28 3.78 3.78
Zack Greinke
2021-2022
 27.50 5.50 5.56 1.83 3.92 1.26 4.37 2.27
Average 20.75 5.44 7.57 2.50 3.73 1.24 4.11 3.19
Justin Verlander
2024-2025
 22.50 5.25 7.69 2.92 4.68 1.38 4.28 0.89
Pct Change 8.43 -3.49 1.59 -16.80 -25.47 -11.29 -4.14 -72.10
Median Prime % Change -7.72%
Average Prime % Change -15.41%

Calculated Market Value: Justin Verlander

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $7,848,606 $7,848,606
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