Justin Verlander Contract: Closer Look
The Detroit Tigers have finalized the Justin Verlander contract locking their 30-year old ace up with a five-year contract extension through 2019 with a vesting option for the 2020 season.
Verlander will make $180 million over the next seven years with a chance to make $202 million over the next eight seasons. Gulp. That is roughly $756,000 per start and $6,900 per pitch! Good lawd that’s a lot of money!!
The breakdown has Verlander set to make $20 million in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and then jump to $28 million per season through 2019. That vesting option, a cool $22 million on top.
The Justin Verlander contract is groundbreaking, but there quite a few other $100 million dollar pitchers in Major League Baseball history (see King Felix article for more on his deal):
| 100+ million pitchers | ||
| PLAYER, TEAM | CONTRACT YEARS | AMOUNT |
| Justin Verlander, DET | 2013-19 | $180 million |
| Felix Hernandez, SEA | 2013-19 | $175 million |
| CC Sabathia, NYY | 2009-15 | $161 million |
| Zack Greinke, LAD | 2013-18 | $147 million |
| Cole Hamels, PHI | 2013-18 | $144 million |
| Johan Santana, NYM | 2008-13 | $137.5 million |
| Matt Cain, SF | 2012-17 | $127.5 million |
| Barry Zito, SF | 2007-13 | $126 million |
| Mike Hampton, COL | 2001-08 | $121 million |
| Cliff Lee, PHI | 2011-15 | $120 million |
| Kevin Brown, LA | 1999-05 | $105 million |
| Figures were obtained by The Associated Press | ||
