Breaking: Free Agent Justin Verlander Signs In Familiar Place

It will be a fairytale chapter in his storied baseball career. Three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion Justin Verlander has decided to go back to where it all began, signing a free agent deal for 2026 with the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers have signed three-time American League Cy Young and nine-time All-Star RHP Justin Verlander to a one-year contract for the 2026 season.

Welcome home, JV! pic.twitter.com/R1T1378gwn
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) February 10, 2026

It's a one-year, $13 million deal, with $11 million deferred. And as part of the festivities of signing back in Detroit, it was revealed that he will wear a Tigers hat in the Hall of Fame, where his plaque will eventually reside.

Verlander, 43, spent the first 13 years of his legendary career in Detroit, and notched six of his nine All-Star appearances there, as well as his first of three Cy Young awards.

In addition to returning to Detroit, he also gets a reunion with Framber Valdez and manager AJ Hinch, both of whom he was with in Houston with the Astros.

Between Tarik Skubal and Verlander, the Tigers now have five Cy Young awards in their rotation .

Verlander's playoff experience will be a big boon to the Tigers in 2026

He brings a world of postseason experience to the Tigers, who are the favorites to win the AL Central. He was the 2017 ALCS MVP with the Astros, and in 226 career playoff innings, he owns a 3.58 ERA. He has World Series rings from 2017 and 2022.

Verlander had a fine 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, posting a 3.85 ERA, proving he still has something left in the tank to, appropriately, take to the Motor City.

The legendary pitcher said after the '25 season that he hoped to pitch until at least age 45. So maybe this stay in Detroit won't be his swansong just yet.