Verlander says Free Agency would be fun

[tbone413]

Justin Verlander surely meant it the other day when he said he loved Detroit and wants to stay a Tiger.

But now he also tells Jon Paul Morosi that the idea of free agency -- if it came to that -- is ... intriguing.

"Absolutely," Verlander said Tuesday in Lakeland. "I think that'd be a blast. If I have two more years like I just had, it would be pretty interesting.

"You know how competitive I am. It's kind of fun thinking about having teams battle for you."

That would be two years down the road, a road that could lead to Verlander becoming baseball's first $200-million pitcher (so get ready for some more ticket price hikes). But for now it's all talk -- for us, because the Tigers and Verlander's people haven't even started that yet.

"If they want to start talks, I'm happy," Verlander told Morosi. "I've got ears open. But I feel good. I feel healthy. I love where I'm at, at this age. I'm not worried about anything going forward."

Verlander turns 30 next Wednesday.


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A few days ago he was saying how he loves Detroit and could see himself being here for his entire career, so to see him say that he would be interested in seeing teams compete for him just a few days later is surprising to say the least.

What do you guys think about these comments? Cause for concern or much ado about nothing?

 

[Thumb]

They mean nothing, the guy has to earn his living.

He might want to stay in Detroit, but that does not mean he won't be willing to test the FA waters to see what kind of contract he could get. He would be stupid not to.

 

[Mitchrapp]

He gone..

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Even the best in the game, how much per year and for how many years should a team realistically pay a 32 year old pitcher (Verlander's age should he hit free agency)? Even if you say he's worth 30 million, do you give him 7 years (hitting that 200 number)? I mean, how many non-roided guys have ever been that good by 37, 38, 39?

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but it's an interesting thought. Let's say we know that deal will be available from another team. Do we match and suck it up, or do we trade him a year earlier to avoid the contract albatross?

I don't see any way Ilitch doesn't open the vault for the guy, but still. Let's hope we just get over this PED issue and he just stays on top until he's 40.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Extend him 5 extra now, I'd be cool with that. But if that ain't happening and as much as I like him, trade him 2014 trade deadline. Get a shit load of prospects.

 

[manchild98]

From a business standpoint I think his comments are smart...in terms of making sure the team doesn't think you are a slam dunk to stay here. As long as we are making the playoffs, I don't see him leaving here. He'll get paid by us. The biggest thing that can derail that is a woman. If he's still dating someone like a Kate Upton or a model and she's in LA and the Dodgers are throwing ridiculous money at him....then I think he'd leave.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.dodgersnation.com/could-justin-verlander-become-a-dodger-in-2015/2013/02/13/
Could Justin Verlander Become a Dodger in 2015?
from dodgersnation

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.freep.com/article/2013022...s|text|Detroit Tigers
Tigers' Justin Verlander tells Yahoo! Sports: I want to be first $200 million pitcher.
from the freep

 

[biggunsbob]

And then he goes to the Dodgers and the Tigers limp into the playoffs and win the world series... Shelling Verlander as Omar infante hits for the cycle...GO TIGERS>>>Man I hope he stays.....

 

[tinselwolverine]

Within the next two years the earth could be decimated by an asteroid...or nuclear war...or climate could change could cause us all to freeze to death or melt to death or be drown by changing sea levels...

What day is opening day this year?

 

[Rebbiv]

Longest Contract Lengths
A. Rodriguez 10/$275 Mil (NYY)
A. Rodriguez 10/$252 Mil (TEX)
A. Pujols 10/$240 Mil
J. Votto 10/$225 Mil
P. Fielder 9/$214 Mil
D. Jeter 10/$189 Mil
J. Mauer 8/$184 Mil
M. Teixeira 8/$180 Mil
A. Gonzalez 8/$160.3 Mil
M. Kemp 8/$160 Mil
M. Ramirez 8/$160 Mil
T. Tulowitzki 10/$157.75 Mil
M. Cabrera 8/$152.5 Mil
T. Helton 11/$151.5 Mil
R. Braun 10/$145.5 Mil
D. Wright 8/$138 Mil
E. Longoria 10/$136.6 Mil
A. Sorinao 8/$136 Mil
M. Hampton 8/$121 Mil
K. Griffey 9/$116.5 Mil
S. Rolen 8/$90 Mil
D. Winfield 10/$23 Mil
W. Garland 10/$2.3 Mil

Average Annual Value
1. Roger Clemens, $28,000,022 (2007)
2. Alex Rodriguez, $27,500,000 (2008-17)
3. Alex Rodriguez, $25,200,000 (2001-10)
4. Ryan Howard, $25,000,000 (2012-16)
. . Josh Hamilton, $25,000,000 (2013-17)
. . Felix Hernandez, $25,000,000 (2013-19)
7. Zack Greinke, $24,500,000 (2013-18)
8. CC Sabathia, $24,400,000 (2012-16)
9. Cole Hamels, $24,000,000 (2013-18)
. . . Cliff Lee, $24,000,000 (2011-15)
. . . Albert Pujols, $24,000,000 (2012-21)
12. Prince Fielder, $23,777,778 (2012-20)
13. Joe Mauer, $23,000,000 (2011-18)
. . . CC Sabathia, $23,000,000 (2009-15)
15. Johan Santana, $22,916,667 (2008-13)
16. Manny Ramirez, $22,500,000 (2009-10)
. . . Joey Votto, $22,500,000 (2014-23)
. . . Mark Teixeira, $22,500,000 (2009-16)
19. Adrian Gonzalez, $22,000,000 (2012-18)
20. Roger Clemens, $22,000,022 (2006)
21. Matt Cain, $21,250,000 (2012-17)
22. Ryan Braun, $21,000,000 (2016-20)
23. Carl Crawford, $20,285,714 (2011-17)
24. Tim Lincecum, $20,250,000 (2012-13)
25. Manny Ramirez, $20,000,000 (2001-08)
. . . Roy Halladay, $20,000,000 (2011-13)
. . . Matt Kemp, $20,000,000 (2012-19)
28. Miguel Cabrera, $19,037,500 (2008-15)
29. Derek Jeter, $18,900,000 (2001-10)
30. Carlos Zambrano, $18,300,000 (2008-12)
31. Andruw Jones, $18,100,000 (2008-09)
32. Barry Bonds, $18,000,000 (2002-06)
. . . Roger Clemens, $18,000,000 (2005)
. . . Ryan Howard, $18,000,000 (2009-11)
. . . Torii Hunter, $18,000,000 (2008-12)
. . . Sammy Sosa, $18,000,000 (2002-05)
. . . Ichiro Suzuki, $18,000,000 (2008-12)
. . . Vernon Wells, $18,000,000 (2008-14)
. . . Jayson Werth, $18,000,000 (2007-14)
. . . Barry Zito, $18,000,000 (2007-13)
41. Jose Reyes, $17,666,667 (2012-17)
42. Jake Peavy, $17,333,333 (2010-12)
43. David Wright, $17,250,000 (2013-20)
44. Jason Giambi, $17,142,857 (2002-08)
. . . Matt Holliday, $17,142,857 (2010-16)
46. Jeff Bagwell, $17,000,000 (2002-06)
. . . Carlos Beltran, $17,000,000 (2005-11)
. . . Carlos Delgado, $17,000,000 (2001-04)
. . . Alfonso Soriano, $17,000,000 (2007-14)
. . . Jered Weaver, $17,000,000 (2012-16)
. . . Andre Ethier, $17,000,000 (2013-17)

Starting pitchers
The highest-paid starting pitchers, by average annual value:
1. Felix Hernandez, $25,000,000 (2013-19)
2. Zack Greinke, $24,500,000 (2013-18)
3. CC Sabathia, $24,400,000 (2012-16)
4. Cole Hamels, $24,000,000 (2013-18)
. . . Cliff Lee, $24,000,000 (2011-15)
6. CC Sabathia, $23,000,000 (2009-15)
7. Johan Santana, $22,916,667 (2008-13)
8. Matt Cain, $21,250,000 (2012-17)
9. Tim Lincecum, $20,250,000 (2012-13)
10. Roy Halladay, $20,000,000 (2011-13)
11. Carlos Zambrano, $18,300,000 (2008-12)
12. Barry Zito, $18,000,000 (2007-13)
13. Jake Peavy, $17,333,333 (2010-12)
14. Josh Beckett, $17,000,000 (2011-14)
. . . Jered Weaver, $17,000,000 (2012-16)
16. A.J. Burnett, $16,500,000 (2009-13)
. . . John Lackey, $16,500,000 (2010-14)
18. Justin Verlander, $16,000,000 (2010-14)
. . . Anibal Sanchez, $16,000,000 (2013-17)
20. Jason Schmidt, $15,666,667 (2007-09)