Justin Verlander, who just inked a one-year, $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, didn’t shy away from the challenge ahead. During his introductory Zoom call with reporters, he got straight to the point: “I think, personally, [it’s] proving that I still have it.” It’s the kind of bold statement that fans have come to expect from Verlander.  

Over the course of his illustrious career, the right-hander has been both a force on the mound and a fierce competitor off it.  Joining the Giants on a one-year deal could be the perfect setting for this next chapter. Verlander will be surrounded by a team that’s always been built on strong pitching, and with San Francisco’s track record of rejuvenating veterans, the opportunity feels like a match made in baseball heaven.  

Justin Verlander is now a Giant for a year

We dont know what the future holds, but Justin Verlander is excited about the opportunity to hit the reset button in a new city. “I’ve had a phenomenal ride with Houston, it’s been a helluva chapter in my career… but really, last year left a sour taste in my mouth, not with the organization, just with myself,” Verlander said during his Zoom call with reporters. It’s rare to hear a guy like Verlander—who’s always been as cool as ice on the mound—open up about feeling off.  

After a solid run of dominance, Justin Verlander’s last two seasons with the Mets and Astros were a bit of a mixed bag. Posting a 4.03 ERA across those two years, it wasn’t the vintage, Cy Young-caliber Verlander we’ve come to know and fear. But hey, even legends have their peaks and valleys, right? Now, as he moves into the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, he’s expected to slide into a back-of-the-rotation role—a new role for a guy who’s used to being the ace.

Houston Astros have now room for one more starting pitcher  

The Houston Astros are facing an intriguing dilemma now that Justin Verlander has left for the San Francisco Giants: Are they going to trade one future Hall of Famer for another? Maybe the answer is yes. Entering his age-40 season is Max Scherzer, a strong competitor and three-time Cy Young Award winner. His 2025 season might be his last performance.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report says the Astros might consider adding Scherzer to finish their starting rotation. Scherzer might be available at a price point comparable to Verlander’s most recent $15 million contract with the Giants, Reuter noted. As Reuter continued, “He can help bridge the gap while the Astros wait on Luis García to finish his Tommy John recovery,” he said that Scherzer might be the ideal candidate.

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Scherzer had a difficult season last year, making just nine starts due to back, shoulder, and hamstring problems. In those few appearances, the starting pitcher did, however, record a 3.95 ERA and strike out 40 batters. It reminds us why Scherzer is one of the best pitchers of his generation, even though it isn’t exactly classic Scherzer. The Astros have a rotation that is already looking really good, and Max Scherzer might be the final addition.