Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has predicted that the New York Yankees will make a move this offseason to sign former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. Despite already having Cy Young award-winner Gerrit Cole anchoring their rotation, Rymer suggests the Yankees could benefit from adding Verlander on a 1-year, $15 million contract.
Verlander, who has earned approximately $398 million in his career, struggled in 2024 after starting the season on the IL and showing declines in his fastball velocity (down to 93.5 mph) and an increase in contact rate (81.0 percent). Nonetheless, Verlander believes he has “a lot more to give,” though Rymer warns any interested team should have backup options given his age and recent performance.
In 2024, Verlander posted a 5.48 ERA across 17 starts, along with a 1.384 WHIP and 74 strikeouts over 90.1 innings for the Astros. His strikeout rate has dropped each of the past two years, down to 7.4 K/9 in 2024—his lowest since 2014. Walks and home runs per nine innings also rose, adding to the risks of signing the soon-to-be 42-year-old.
If the Yankees could get a version of Verlander close to his 2022 form, it would be a valuable addition. However, they are also reportedly interested in other top free-agent pitchers, including former Cy Young winner Blake Snell, as well as Jack Flaherty and Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki. Rymer ranks these three among the top five starters in free agency this offseason, though he does not predict the Yankees to land any of them if they pursue Verlander.
In addition to Cole, the Yankees have veteran starters like Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes already under contract for 2025, with their spending on starting pitchers projected at nearly $102 million for the season according to Spotrac.
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