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The New York Yankees have made a living on picking up big-name free agents during the MLB offseason over the years. After signing ace pitcher Gerrit Cole two offseasons ago, and former Cy Young award-winner Corey Kluber last offseason, New York is zeroing in on another stud hurler: Justin Verlander.
Yankees are among teams in on future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who’s expected to have a decision fairly soon, perhaps even this week. Jays and many others are interested as well. He has multiyear and 1-year options.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 17, 2021
Verlander, 38, didn't pitch in 2021, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he was a certified stud on the mound the last time he was healthy in 2019, pitching to 21-6 record and 2.58 ERA while striking out 300 batters en route to taking home one of his two American League Cy Young awards.
Verlander and the Yankees are a good match. The ace right-hander wants to pitch for a contender on the East Coast, two boxes the Yankees certainly check off after four straight, 90-plus win seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
Aside from his excellent contributions on the mound, there's a sneaky reason why the Yankees should be in on Verlander. He and Gerrit Cole thrived side-by-side while the two were teammates as members of the Houston Astros, so if anyone could help ensure that Cole is at his best following the MLB's crackdown on foreign substances, it's his former teammate, Verlander.
Justin Verlander would be a dependable number-two starter for the Yankees, though it remains to be seen if the two can see eye-to-eye when/if things get to the negotiating table.
