Justin Verlander has insisted that there is still some magic left in his right arm. One team backing his claim is the Houston Astros, who hope they can have a reunion with Verlander. Astros general manager Dana Brown revealed on Tuesday that he plans to speak with Justin’s agent, Mark Pieper, this week. While the discussions are set to happen soon, whether those talks will result in Verlander returning to Minute Maid Park remains uncertain.

With the Astros already stacked in the rotation and Verlander coming off a strong year, the idea of bringing him back is enticing, but it’s far from a done deal. Also, there are other players the Astros are approaching, and this could affect Verlander’s deal. Brown shared the news with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, noting that Verlander’s time in Houston has been a key part of the team’s success.

While the Astros are interested, Brown expects to have a clearer picture of the situation after his talk with Pieper. Justin Verlander’s 2024 season has been a far cry from the dominant ace we’ve come to expect, yet, there’s still a lot to what he brings to the table. Justin’s pitch mix, his command, and his ability to adjust in-game are the tools that have kept ‘old Verlander’ effective, even as age catches up.   

Talking about Verlander’s next contract, Jim Crane and the Astros can take the possible financial complications afterward. The expectation is that the 41-year-old’s next deal will likely be in the range of $8-10 million for one year. That’s a reasonable sum, even for a team like Houston. But managing their payroll, staying under the luxury tax threshold, and still being a championship-level crew is no small feat. And let’s not forget the Astros are also in pursuit of Alex Bregman, which will cost them a lot.  

Houston Astros might pursue Alex Bregman alongside Justin Verlander

The Houston Astros have a decision to make this offseason and it all starts with the future of Alex Bregman. The club has decided to include the third baseman, but keeping Bregman in the crew will require historic commitment – the biggest contract in the team’s history – so, Bregman’s deal won’t just affect the budget, it will shape the financial direction of the franchise for other deals too.  

This means, for Houston, prioritizing Bregman over other potential additions will become imperative. But then, do you see why things get tricky here for a guy like Justin Verlander? Verlander’s likely contract will be around $8-10 million for one year. The Astros could squeeze that into the budget without too much strain, especially considering they’re still in a championship window and Verlander offers a safety net in their rotation. But when looking at the bigger picture, Verlander’s return becomes more complicated.

It all comes down to Houston’s larger commitments they’re about to make. With the Bregman extension likely taking up a large chunk, Houston’s hands are tied. The Astros are not just looking at re-signing their own people, they’re also looking at upgrades at first base and center field – these aspects could affect Justin Verlander’s deal. So, what do you predict will happen? Share below.