Braves had 'detailed conversations' with Astros' Verlander

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) was being recruit. Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Braves had 'detailed conversations' with Astros SP Justin Verlander before lockout

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/11/22

Earlier in the MLB offseason, prior to the beginning of the lockout, two-time AL Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal to stay with the Houston Astros. Now that the nearly 100-day lockout has officially ended, MLB Network's Jon Morosi is reporting that the 39-year-old was being recruited by Houston's opponent from the 2021 World Series.

Source: Prior to lockout, #Braves had detailed conversations with free agent Justin Verlander. He ultimately returned to Houston, but this indicates that the Braves are trying to fit a high-level starter *and* Freddie Freeman into their budget. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 11, 2022

Following 12-plus seasons with the Detroit Tigers to begin his career, Verlander was acquired by the Astros in August 2017. After helping Detroit win their first pennant in 22 years in 2006 as a rookie, Verlander also assisted in leading the Tigers to the World Series in 2012 -- though the team lost both series.

In his first postseason with Houston in 2017, the former second overall pick earned ALCS MVP honors and captured his first World Series title. The Astros made the World Series again in 2019, but lost in seven games to the Washington Nationals.

Verlander made just one start in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign before being shutdown for the season due to a forearm injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September of that year and missed the entire 2021 season as well.

In addition to his pair of Cy Young awards, Verlander captured a rare MVP award for a starting pitcher in 2011 after posting career-bests (and league-bests) in wins (24) and ERA (2.40), while also leading the league in innings pitched (251.0), strikeouts (250) and WHIP (0.92). The eight-time All-Star has led the league in strikeouts five times, innings pitched and WHIP four times and wins on three occasions.

He ranks first among active pitchers in wins (226) and second in innings pitched (2,988.0), strikeouts (3,013), games started (454) and complete games (26).

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