Justin Verlander declines player option, becomes free agent

Justin Verlander declined a $25 million option with the Houston Astros to become a free agent on Thursday, five days after helping the team win its second World Series title.

The 39-year-old right-hander likely headed for his third Cy Young Award got his first World Series win in nine starts in Game 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies. The day before that happened, he said it was too early to think about his future.

“Really and truly it’s been a hell of a ride no matter what happens, whether I stay or don’t,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with this group of guys and the city and getting to know the city.”

Verlander was among four players who became free agents Thursday, raising the total to 165.

Verlander played for Detroit from 2005 until he was traded to the Astros in August 2017. He agreed to a $66 million contract covering 2020 and 2021, then hurt his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery.

After pitching one game over the previous two seasons, Verlander became a free agent and re-signed with Houston for a $25 million, one-year deal that included the option. He went 18-4 with a major league-best 1.75 ERA in 28 starts, then was 2-0 with a 5.85 ERA in four postseason outings. He is 244-133 with a 3.24 ERA and 3,198 strikeouts in 17 seasons.

‘Whatever we need to do to win, we’re able to do it!’ – Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander stops by to talk with the “MLB on FOX” crew about winning the World Series and Dusty Baker finally getting that special moment.

“I really did enjoy kind of just talking with some teams and just kind of like hearing their philosophies and getting to talk about my philosophies with pitching and just talk baseball,” he said. “I didn’t get the traditional come into the city and get all the pizzazz because it was a short timeframe.”

Several others have option decisions due later Thursday. Among the other moves, the New York Mets turned down an $8 million option on right-hander Mychal Givens in favor of a $1.5 million buyout, Baltimore said no to an $11 million option on right-hander Jordan Lyles and will pay a $1 million buyout, and Boston said the team and player had declined a $12 million mutual option on outfielder Tommy Pham, who gets a $1.5 million buyout.

Reporting by the Associated Press.