• ESPN News Services

Feb 10, 2026, 01:44 PM ET

Three-time Cy Young Award winner

    • 1 Related

    After a dominant 13-year stretch with the Tigers, Verlander found a second life after joining the Astros in 2017. He won Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022 — and after the latter signed a two-year, $86.6 million contract with the New York Mets. Verlander spent 16 starts with the Mets before being traded back to the Astros in August 2023.

    Over his career, Verlander is 266-158 with a 3.32 ERA over 3,567⅔ innings. He has struck out 3,553 batters, walked 1,004 and won a pair of World Series with the Astros.

    The Tigers’ pitchers and catchers are scheduled to have their first spring training workout Wednesday.

    Valdez’s three-year, $115 million deal with Detroit was finalized Tuesday after the sides agreed to terms last week. He spent the past eight seasons with the Houston Astros.

    Valdez can opt out following the 2027 season, and the deal includes a mutual option for 2029 at $40 million with a $5 million buyout. He gets salaries of $17.5 million this year, $37.5 million in 2027 and $35 million in 2028.

    A two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion, Valdez will receive a $20 million signing bonus, entirely deferred, with payments beginning in 2030. His salary each year from 2027-29 can increase by $2 million for winning a Cy Young Award, $1 million for finishing second and $500,000 for coming in third, provided he doesn’t end the season on the injured list. It also could escalate by $2 million for winning World Series MVP and $1 million for winning ALCS MVP.

    ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.