The idea of Justin Verlander returning to the Detroit Tigers has been floating around for a while now-equal parts nostalgia and intrigue. But as the Tigers edge closer to serious contention for the first time in over a decade, the conversation around a potential reunion has shifted from sentimental to strategic.
Detroit’s rotation is in a precarious spot. Tarik Skubal is the clear ace, but with Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize both set to hit free agency after the season, the team is staring down the possibility of a major void in its pitching staff.
The Tigers need a reliable No. 2 behind Skubal-someone who could even step into the No. 1 role if Skubal walks. And while Verlander’s name still carries weight, the question is whether the soon-to-be 43-year-old righty can still carry that kind of load.
Verlander isn’t the same guy who racked up Cy Youngs and dominated October lineups in his prime. But in the final stretch of 2025, he showed flashes of the old JV.
Over his last 13 starts, he posted a 2.60 ERA-vintage stuff from a pitcher who’s made a career out of defying time and expectations. That kind of performance, even in a small sample, is enough to at least raise eyebrows in Detroit’s front office.
The Tigers have reportedly been poking around the mid-tier pitching market this offseason. And while those arms might come with more youth or durability, few offer the upside-or the clubhouse presence-of a future Hall of Famer like Verlander.
He’s not just a name. He’s a tone-setter.
A leader. A guy who’s been through every high-pressure scenario a young team like Detroit is trying to prepare for.
There’s also the business side of it. Verlander would bring fans to Comerica Park.
That matters. The Tigers haven’t exactly lit the offseason on fire, and bringing back one of the most beloved players in franchise history would inject some badly-needed energy into the fanbase.
Even if he’s no longer a frontline ace, Verlander still has the kind of gravitas that can elevate a clubhouse and a city.
Cost-wise, it’s manageable. Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Giants last season, and given his age and recent injury history, he might be available for even less this time around.
There’s been speculation that a deal could come in under $10 million. For a team trying to bridge the gap between rebuilding and contending, that’s a swing worth considering.
Of course, there are risks. Verlander is older than Alex Cobb was during his ill-fated stint, and Tigers fans still bear the scars of that move.
But it’s worth noting: Verlander at 42 was still better than Cobb at 35 in his last mostly-healthy season. The upside is real, even if the floor is lower than it once was.
So, is Verlander the long-term solution to Detroit’s rotation puzzle? Probably not.
But could he be the right piece at the right time-someone who stabilizes the staff, mentors the next wave of arms, and helps push the Tigers over the hump in a winnable division? That’s a much more compelling question.
