Tigers ace Justin Verlander’s $180M deal largest ever given to pitcher

Major League Baseball Update/ News

The Detroit Tigers and ace Justin Verlander shocked the baseball world with their huge $180 million deal. Tigers’ new deal with the starter is the largest in Major League history.

“I wondered what it would be like to test free agency, but the pull of Detroit was too much,” the Tigers’ ace said Friday after agreeing to a seven-year contract, the richest deal for a pitcher in baseball history. “Once spring training started I knew I wanted to stay.”

The previous mega deal of $175 million was given to starting pitcher Felix Hernandez by the Seattle Mariners management in the recent past offseason.

“It’s a very exciting day,” Tigers President Dave Dombrowski said. “It’s a big day for us. He’s as fine a pitcher as there is in baseball. His record speaks for itself. He can be one of the greatest, if not the greatest pitcher in Tiger history. He is never going to be content, He wants a World Series, and he wants the Hall of Fame.”

The Tigers ace is playing for the Tigers since 2005 and showing his great consistency. He won Cy Young award in 2011 along with American League Most Valuable Player Award in the same year.

“The city of Detroit is committed to winning,” he said. “I’m so excited to be playing in Detroit. I was never shy about saying I wanted to stay in Detroit. It’s tough to put into words how much I love Detroit. We have the best fans in baseball.”

Verlander’s teammates were also happy for him as pitcher Max Scherzer said, “First, he deserves it because it means a lot for all of us, From now on, every time we go out to dinner, I am not even going to make a token effort to pull out my credit card. Every dinner this year is on him.”

Not only in 2011, but his overall career is also filled with full of inspiring performances. His career ERA of 3.40 is considered one of the very best in the entire league.

“I wasn’t shy about saying I wanted to spend my career here,” Verlander said, standing outside the Tigers clubhouse Friday alongside Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager.

“It’s tough to say how much I love Detroit. I was drafted by the Tigers, and I’ve grown up in front of these fans who are the best fans in baseball. We’re kindred spirits.”

Now with a huge deal under his belt and with full of confidence, Verlander is hoping a great beginning of new 2013 Major League Baseball season with the Detroit Tigers.

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Posted by Umair Hassan on Apr 1 2013. Filed under Latest News, Sports, USA, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.