It’s Been a Few Hours, So There Has to Be Another Major Extension: Justin Verlander This Time (UPDATE)

Whatever, man. Free agency is lame anyway, AMIRITE? There will never be another free agent.

According to sources, Justin Verlander and the Astros are moving toward a deal on an extension. It’s believed to be a two-year deal in the $66M range.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 23, 2019

First of all, holy crap. I know Verlander has been incredible in his short time with the Astros, but $33 million per year for his age 37 and age 38 seasons, a year out from free agency? Get yours, man. That sure seems like a great get for him.

Which also reminds me of my “conspiracy” theories about why deals like this (even with seemingly strong AAVs) are getting signed right now.

Anyway, we’ll update when this one’s done, but based on every other deal this offseason, this one will happen, too. An abbreviated list of what we’ve seen already: Alex Bregman, Eloy Jimenez, Aaron Nola, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Luis Severino, Nolan Arenado, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, Miles Mikolas, Blake Snell, and Chris Sale. Good Lord.

UPDATE: It’s done.

Verlander gets $66M, 2 years #astros

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 23, 2019