SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When information broke that Justin Verlander signed with the Giants for $15 million heading into his age-42 season — off a 5.48 ERA no much less — I simply figured he was as nice a negotiator as he was a pitcher. That’s on me.
Nobody ought to doubt Verlander can pitch till he’s 45, or longer. He’s sometimes talked about that quantity as an exit goal however doesn’t appear to actually imply it. It’s only a spherical determine off within the distance. Out right here, he appears like he can throw perpetually.
“He can pitch as long as he wants to,” his previous Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, now a Padre, mentioned.
There have been whispers Verlander would possibly attempt to make it to 50, however he’s avoiding any guesses for now. Why put a quantity on it once you’re nonetheless getting guys out who’re barely half your age?
