Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Luckily for teams this winter across the big leagues who need help with starting pitching, there are multiple quality arms available in free agency. Some are more ace-like guys, while others are veterans who could simply help bolster a rotation for the upcoming season.
*PREDICTION*
One of the bigger names on the open market this winter is veteran right-hander Justin Verlander, who spent this past year with the San Francisco Giants. Verlander will be 43 years old by the time next season kicks off, but the veteran seems to have no plans of calling it a career.
With the Giants this year, the former ace posted an ERA of 3.85 in 29 starts. Verlander clearly can still get it done on the mound, even if he isn’t the dominant Cy Young candidate that we all saw even a few years ago.
The right-hander was especially good down the stretch of the season, posting an ERA of 2.60 over his final 72.3 innings of work. This performance is likely to earn him a nice deal on the open market, even if it’s short-term due to his age.
Verlander posted an impressive strikeout rate of 20.7 percent throughout the year, showing that he could still sit hitters down when needed. Overall, it was a solid year for the veteran starter, and now there are multiple teams interested in bringing him into the mix.
The right-hander isn’t going to be a frontline guy for any team, but he could easily provide support as a No. 3 or No. 4 arm for a rotation. His veteran experience could also be something that interested organizations may desire, helping whatever team he ultimately joins go after a World Series title.
At this point in his career, Verlander has made it clear that finding the correct fit is what is most important to him. While playing for a contender would be nice, the veteran seems to want to head to the right team, rather than just joining a team to do so.
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One team that could make some sense for the right-hander is the Texas Rangers, who desperately need help within the starting rotation. Texas missed the playoffs this year, marking the second straight season for the organization following their winning the World Series in 2023.
The Rangers have already started to undergo changes to the roster this offseason, and bringing in someone like Verlander could help the culture. Verlander has been praised over the years for his leadership, and he understands what it takes to win a World Series.
This could help right the ship for the Rangers, and he could be a piece of the unit to help Texas get back on track. Verlander landing with the Rangers could be a real win-win for each side, and it may be a strong landing spot for him.
Texas would get a reliable arm for the starting rotation, helping them to bolster the depth for the upcoming season. Berlander would get a chance to go back to the state of Texas, helping the other team in the state try to win at the highest level.