MLB Rumors: Red Sox should target these 3 top market free agents
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 2: Justin Verlander
In pretty much every other scenario, signing a pitcher who is about to be 40 years old and has dealt with some serious injury concerns over the past few years would be a risk no one would think twice about taking. But it’s clear that Justin Verlander is not like other pitchers in the MLB right now.
Despite missing nearly two full seasons of action in 2020 and 2021, Verlander returned this season and will likely walk away with his third career Cy Young award. Verlander was absolutely dominant for the Houston Astros (18-4, 1.75 ERA, 185 K, 0.83 WHIP) and helped guide the ‘Stros to their World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Verlander opted out of his deal with the Astros that he signed last offseason, and while it seems like a return to Houston is the most likely outcome for Verlander, the Red Sox should certainly be in on him if he ends up looking for a new home. Verlander will be 40, yes, but he has shown no signs of decline, and quite frankly, it’s tough to find a season where he pitched better than he did in 2022.
Boston’s starting rotation is a bit of a mess, but adding a de facto top of the line starter in Verlander on a two or three year deal could give the team time to sort out their rotation for the next few seasons if nothing else. The Sox need more top end talent in their rotation if they want to make it back to playoffs, and Verlander just proved in 2022 that there is nobody better than him on the hill right now, which is why signing him would make a lot of sense.