JV RETURNS
How Justin Verlander's return to Minute Maid raises these important Astros questions
Jun 20, 2023, 1:17 pm
How will Houston fans react to Justin Verlander? Composite Getty Image.
Astros fans: when Justin Verlander takes the mound tonight against your Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, will you cheer or boo him?
There’s a pretty compelling argument for both sides.
Cheer him: Although he was a fleeting comet across the Houston sky, only 5-plus years here, including two seasons on the injured list, Verlander is, prorated, the greatest pitcher in Astros history. He rode into town like a knight in shining armor in 2017, going 5-0 down the stretch and helping the Astros win their first World Series. He followed that going 16-9 in 2018, then a Cy Young Award in 2019. Then another Cy Young in 2022, the lowest earned run average of his career (1.75) and another World Series title for the Astros.
Along the way, he married Kate Upton, they had a daughter, and together they became the most celebrated couple, a beloved icon, in Houston. The only thing missing from Verlander’s career in Houston was an H-E-B commercial. He was too busy pushing Ford trucks.
So go ahead, give Verlander an ovation for what he did when he was here. He was spectacular. He brought glory to Houston. He literally loved Jose Altuve and the rest of the team.
And then, at the end of the 2022, he became a free agent …
Boo him: First and most important, he is pitching for the other team. The Astros desperately need a win to stop their 5-game losing streak and get back into the playoff picture.
The bigger question, how do you like him now?
After the 2022 triumphant season, Verlander sought greener pastures, like $86.666 million worth of green from the New York Mets over two years. And possibly $35 million more for a third season if he gets there.
That’s how Verlander paid the Astros back for paying him $147 million for the five full seasons he was here, two of which he barely pitched at all, only six innings in 2020 and none in 2021. That’s more money than many Astros fans will make in 75 lifetimes.
At 39 years old, coming off two missing seasons because of Tommy John surgery, the Astros still risked $25 million on Verlander for 2022.
The Astros certainly were loyal to Verlander. Him, not so much. The Astros would have loved to keep Verlander for 2023 and beyond, but as soon as he had the chance, Verlander stuck it to the Astros where the sun don’t shine – under the roof at Minute Maid Park. Where tonight he’ll face the Astros’ heir to the ace throne, Framber Valdez. It’ll be a packed house, the game of the year so far.
Of course, nobody should begrudge anybody for leaving a job for more money. But how much is enough? By the end of 2022, Verlander had made $299 million over his certain Hall of Fame career. If he completes his three years in New York, he will be the highest-paid player in baseball history at $420 million. The current leaders in the clubhouse are Miguel Cabrera at $400 million, followed by Alex Rodriguez ($399 million), Albert Pujols ($346 million) and Zack Greinke ($338 million).
Those numbers could be blown to smithereens in a few months when Shohei Ohtani becomes a free agent at age 29. Team owners, start your bidding at $500 million, with the Los Angeles Dodgers expected to offer whatever it takes.
Back to Verlander. By leaving the Astros, Verlander became a cold-blooded hired gun. Sure, we’d all love to be given that opportunity. But as Howie Mandel used to ask on Deal or No Deal … did the Mets make a good deal signing Verlander? He is 40 years old and his roots are showing. Even last year, he limped home at the end of the season, with the Astros hoping to squeeze five innings out him during the playoffs. Verlander started this season on the injured list and with June rolling to a close, he’s 2-3 with an ERA of 4.40.
Giving Verlander, or any 40-year-old baseball player, a huge long-term deal is like buying bread from the day-old rack at the supermarket. Occasionally you’ll get a fresh slice from the middle, but it’s not like yesterday. Verlander isn’t the Verlander of old. He’s just old Verlander.
So go ahead and cheer him, but let’s holler for the Astros more. The Astros can’t afford another loss, but Verlander sure can.
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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