I'd still love to be the team that found out what he has left. I still think there's something left in the tank. They just have to have a conversation to find out if a simple QO for one year is a better option for both than a longer term deal with protections for both via incentives, opt outs, buyouts and options including vesting options. All that is surrounded by question marks about the new MLBPA master agreement rules and restrictions. It's going to be an interesting off season. Baseball in 2022 is NOT a given. BTW, I'm not sure if JVs 2020 salary was reduced by the COVID rules, but I suspect it was.
I just found out his 2020 salary in an internet search. All players who chose to play the season received 37% of their Contract Salary. So Verlander received 12.2M for his 6 inning 2020 season and $31M for his 2021 lost season, though the cap amounts were averaged to include his signing bonus. Still, I like the idea of at least talking about keeping him for longer. We'll have to see what he thinks of incentives, buyouts and opt outs for a longer term deal. Crane echoed my thoughts that offering a QO is a no brainer for even a 3/4 Verlander or even 1/2 Verlander..
What the? If true this team is led by insecure nitwits. I can think of several reasons to spotlight JV. They should be embracing him. I’m sure he’s been grinding to return from an injury he suffered pitching for this franchise.
Also very possible that behind closed doors Verlander has tried to distance himself from the Astros to protect his legacy…. Word could have gotten back to the clubhouse, and naturally, wouldn’t sit well with many guys.
I don’t see why that’s so bad that the team didn’t want him there…He hasn’t been around all year, he shouldn’t be the focus. Seems like a distraction, no tough feelings.
The more I think on it, the more I think Granato got it wrong. It makes more sense if it was JV who made the call to not take the spotlight off the other guys.
You may not like the message, and of course he could be wrong, but Granato has real connections and doesn’t make things up.
Verlander is a heck of a pitcher. Before he came to Houston, many thought he was in the twilight of his career; then he gets to Houston and it reignited his elitism; he was instrumental in saving the 2017 World Series. He got a Cy Young award, and he led another team into the World Series, where they lost to the Nationals. I hope that Verlander remembers that the Dodgers nor Yankees wanted him when Detroit was trying to move him; both organizations thought Verlander was washed up. Astros and Luhnow believed that Verlander was just bored in mediocre vile that was Detroit 2017. I think if true, this move by the Astros players is telling Verlander, that the Astros aren’t a dog and pony show. Look at the guys buying in, Gurriel, Brantley, McCullers, Altuve. All were guys who took less because the team is the team; where not one player can overshadow this current elite team. It’s a message to Verlander that he’s a great pitcher, but the Astros are built around an idea, and of who’s buying into it to become a part of the idea of baseball greatness.
have the people complaining about justin verlander not being around the houston astros in 2021 considered the possibility that he decided to devote this year to himself, his well-being, his family, etc. like, why is this a thing?
It's not really a thing. None of the players have said anything. It's just stupid **** the media needs to talk about because they need likes and clicks. Talk radio guys have the least connections in general.
Cool if he decided to do that and not be paid. However, I personally would feel a little guilty pulling in 60+ million for only a few innings, and would check in with the team every now and then.
Exactly! How about being a good teammate and working with the rest of the staff? The guy is a lock for the HOF, his knowledge and analysis could help the younger guys. Glad he’s living his best life….
