In a notable shift from his usual routine, Justin Verlander, the seasoned right-handed pitcher, has found himself in uncharted territory this offseason. Traditionally, Verlander has adhered to a strict regimen that involved taking time off from throwing during the winter months. However, at 41 years old, he has recognized the need to adapt, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, he hasn’t rested his arm. Instead, he has kept a baseball in hand to ensure his shoulder remains in peak condition throughout the offseason. The adjustment speaks volumes about the athlete’s commitment to performance and longevity in the sport. “I’ve always been someone who sets the ball down and picks it back up in a few months,” Verlander shared. “At this age, that approach no longer serves me.”
This alteration in routine signifies more than just a minor tweak; it reflects a deeper understanding of the physical demands that come with aging in a physically intensive sport. For Verlander, the stakes are high as he heads into the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, following a disappointing and injury-riddled year. His ability to maintain a rhythm off the mound might just spell the difference between success and mediocrity as he aims to reclaim his place among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball.
Verlander’s move to the Giants—sealed with a lucrative one-year, $15 million contract—underscores a pivotal moment not just for the pitcher, but for the franchise as well. With new president of baseball operations Buster Posey at the helm, the Giants see Verlander as a crucial piece to their puzzle, particularly in the highly competitive National League West. While many might view Verlander as a veteran nearing the end of his career, the Giants are committed to harnessing his wealth of experience and unparalleled skills.
Acknowledging the challenges of the previous season, where Verlander faced shoulder inflammation and neck discomfort that limited him to 17 starts, he is intent on proving his critics wrong. Despite finishing with a less-than-stellar 5.48 ERA in 2024, Verlander is optimistic, declaring that he feels “miles ahead” of last year’s performance as he prepares for the approaching spring training.
For Verlander, the hardships of last season were not in vain. “Last year was difficult,” he admitted, reflecting on the struggles he faced on the mound. “It was worst-case scenario for me. You could never get in a groove.” Yet, he chose to view those challenges through a lens of growth. “You can’t play this game for very long if you don’t learn from injuries,” Verlander noted, emphasizing the invaluable lessons he gleaned from his setbacks. His awareness that adversity breeds maturity and wisdom highlights the mental resilience required to excel in professional sports.
Verlander’s new contract comes with an array of incentives that keep the competitive spirit alive. With bonuses tied to performance metrics such as MVP and Cy Young Award placements, not to mention selections for the All-Star team, it aligns his financial rewards with on-field achievements. This structure not only incentivizes personal excellence but also fosters a culture of high performance within the Giants’ roster.
Reflecting on his career, Verlander cannot help but recall the atmosphere of the 2012 World Series, wherein he faced off against Posey and the Giants, who ultimately bested his Detroit Tigers. Now, with Posey as his ally, Verlander is eager to contribute to a team’s aspirations rather than an adversarial rivalry. Posey’s admiration for Verlander’s work ethic cements the belief that the seasoned pitcher is more than just a mentor; he’s viewed as a pivotal contributor who can significantly bolster the Giants’ rotation alongside formidable talents like Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.
With a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation for the game, Verlander enters this next chapter with the Giants filled with hope and enthusiasm. The lessons learned from past struggles, coupled with a redefined approach to offseason training, position him well to reclaim his status as one of Major League Baseball’s premier pitchers. The world awaits to see whether this veteran can defy the odds and continue to imprint his legacy on the sport he loves.