Justin Verlander is going back to where his Hall of Fame career started.
The soon-to-be-43-year-old agreed to terms on a one-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Detroit, of course, is where Verlander pitched the first 13 seasons of his 20-year career in the big leagues. It is where he collected 183 of his 266 career wins, and it is where he won the first of his three Cy Young awards -- in addition to his 2011 American League MVP award.
Does he have anything left? Well, I would say he's still a serviceable mid-rotation starter. He pitched in hard luck with the San Francisco Giants last season, going 4-11, but with a respectable 3.85 ERA.
And really, all the Tigers need is for Verlander to be a serviceable mid-rotation starter.
Last week, Detroit signed former Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract. Valdez slots in as the No. 2 starter behind reigning AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal.
The Tigers also have Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize in their rotation, so if Verlander throws like a No. 3 or No. 4 pitcher, that's fine.
I don't know if I'd say Detroit has the best starting rotation in the American League, but you could make the case. And there's really no question the Tigers are the favorites in the Central Division now.
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