Astros in Contact with Justin Verlander for Possible Reunion

In a recent appearance on ESPN's Baseball Tonight podcast, Houston Astros GM Dana Brown revealed that the club has been in discussions with free agent right-hander Justin Verlander regarding a potential reunion. "We've had conversations with his agent [ISE's Mark Pieper] just to try to feel him out. I don't know if there's been a lot of progress, but we're having conversations," Brown said.

Current Focus on Alex Bregman
Brown mentioned that the Astros' primary focus this offseason is re-signing Alex Bregman. This high-profile pursuit is consuming much of the team's attention, though Brown assured fans that the club is still exploring other potential moves, such as finding another third baseman.

Verlander's Health and Market Interest
Brown acknowledged that Verlander's health will be a key factor in determining his market value. "If [Verlander] continues to work and he's healthy, it's going to be interesting to see where he goes and how much he gets. But I'm sure there will be a bunch of teams calling the agent," Brown noted. His phrasing suggested a cautious approach from the Astros, perhaps indicating they are more interested observers of Verlander's market rather than active participants at this stage.

Verlander's 2024 Season and Career Outlook
Verlander, who turns 42 in February, expressed his desire to return in 2025 after an injury-marred 2024 season. Limited to 90 1/3 innings due to shoulder and neck injuries, Verlander posted a 5.48 ERA, the highest of his career apart from his debut season in 2005. Despite his struggles, Verlander's performance in 2023 was still solid, with a 3.22 ERA over 162 1/3 innings for the Mets and Astros.

Future Contributions and Risks
​Given his track record and previous success, there is a case to be made that Verlander still has more to contribute if healthy. He has defied the odds before, notably winning his third AL Cy Young Award in 2021 after returning from Tommy John surgery. However, the possibility remains that age and injuries may have finally caught up to him. While multiple teams are expected to show interest in Verlander, the Astros must weigh the risks of a potential decline against the benefits of a possible rebound.