The New York Yankees already have a Cy Young winner anchoring their rotation in Gerrit Cole, but Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes they should consider adding another former Cy Young Award winner this offseason: Justin Verlander.
Rymer predicted on November 14 that the Yankees will sign the 3-time Cy Young winner to a one-year, $15 million contract. Despite struggling in 2024 after starting the season on the injured list, Verlander remains confident he has “a lot more to give.” Last season, he posted a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts with the Houston Astros, with a 1.384 WHIP and just 74 strikeouts in 90.1 innings.
His fastball velocity and contact rate both dipped, leading to questions about his future effectiveness. Rymer acknowledged the risk, noting that if Verlander’s decline continues, the team should have contingency plans in place.
If the Yankees were to sign Verlander, they would be betting on his resilience. After missing the entire 2021 season following Tommy John surgery, Verlander returned in 2022 to win his third Cy Young Award.
He also won the prestigious honor in 2011 and 2019, and his 2011 season included an American League MVP award. However, at 42 years old (he’ll turn 42 in February), Verlander’s strikeout rate has dropped in recent years, and his walk and home run rates increased in 2024, raising doubts about his ability to return to his former dominance. Still, if the Yankees could land a version of Verlander resembling his 2022 self, it would be a bargain at $15 million.
The Yankees’ pursuit of Verlander may also depend on the rest of the starting pitching market this winter. Rymer mentioned several other potential free-agent targets for the Yankees, including 2023 Cy Young winner Blake Snell, former Cy Young winner Jack Flaherty, and Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki.
If the Yankees were to sign any of these pitchers, it’s unlikely they would also pursue Verlander, especially with Cole locked in for the long term and other veterans like Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes already part of the rotation for 2025.
With the Yankees expected to spend nearly $102 million on starting pitching next season, adding Verlander could be a gamble, but one they may be willing to take if they believe he can return to form.
