Tigers, Verlander Agree To 5yr/$80MM Deal

[BAdkins1121]

The Tigers and Justin Verlander have agreed to a five-year deal worth $80MM according to the AP (via NBCSports.com), and it could be made official as soon as tomorrow. The righthander filed for $9.5MM in arbitration, and the team countered with $6.9MM.

Verlander, 27 later this month, had reportedly been seeking a sixth guaranteed year, however it appears the team was able to talk him out of it with more guaranteed money. The former second overall pick led the American League in starts, innings, batters faced, strikeouts, and wins in 2009, earning him a third place finish in the Cy Young voting. He also has a no-hitter, a Rookie of the Year Award, and World Series experience to his credit.

The deal buys out the Verlander's two remaining arbitration years plus three free agent years for an average annual salary of $16MM, and will take him to age 32. It's worth slightly more than Felix Hernandez's five-year, $78MM deal, which was being used as a comparison. Tim compared the two pitchers just yesterday.

Tigers, Verlander Agree To Long-Term Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Wow can't believe he got more then Felix

[Johnnydollaz89]

good for verlander hes a beast!