The New York Mets made a big splash in free agency this morning when they signed right-hander Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million contract.
The deal also includes a vesting option for the 2025 season.
The 39-year-old earned the American League Cy Young Award with a bounce-back season after missing the 2021 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery, winning 18 games and posting an MLB-best 1.75 ERA in 28 starts.
The veteran ace also earned Comeback Player of the Year honors.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the two-time World Series champion and three-time Cy Young will earn $35 million in 2025 if he pitches 140 or more innings in 2024.
The option will also vest as a player option.
If Verlander pitches 140 innings in 2024, he’ll be set to make a fortune in 2025.
Verlander option vests as a player option at $35M for 2025 if he pitches 140 innings in 2024 https://t.co/KrGFUUh4Ji
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2022
What Verlander’s 2025 Option Means For The Mets
As it stands right now, the ace with make $43.3 million in each of the first two seasons of his new deal.
But with the option ultimately vesting as a player option, should he reach 140 innings in 2024, he’ll have a chance to either earn $35 million with the Mets or potentially exercise his option and become a free agent again, with the chance to sign another lucrative contract.
Verlander will rejoin his former Detroit Tigers teammate and co-ace in Max Scherzer.
The two helped guide the Tigers to four straight division titles from 2011-14 and three consecutive ALCS appearances.
The Mets moved swiftly to replace Jacob deGrom, who signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, signing Verlander just three days after the departure of their former ace.
NEXT: The Mets Now Own A Shocking Payroll Fact