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The Houston Astros had some good news for their fans on the first of the year, and it wasn't Justin Verlander's return home. On the contrary, the club's decision to sign Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai for the next three years keeps Verlander away from Houston for the time being.
The Texans made their choice to compensate for the departure of Framber Valdez (he's still available) and opted for a 27-year-old gunner instead of a 42-year-old veteran. It's understandable that the Astros made this choice as an investment for the future, even if the contract offered to Imai may be shorter than anticipated.
It remains to be seen whether the club's management will still offer Verlander a deal despite his age. Remember that he and owner Jim Crane are good friends, and Crane pulls a lot of strings within his organization. Verlander, who completed 20 seasons in Major League Baseball and has an excellent chance of seeing the doors of Cooperstown open for him when he becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, could prove to be an insurance policy for the Astros.
A look at the new projected rotation for the Astros
via @fangraphs pic.twitter.com/Tqdo5QKKRM
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 1, 2026
Should Houston seek to consolidate its rotation of Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Lance McCullers Jr., and Mike Burrows, Verlander would be a good option. He knows the team well, and the team's fans love him. His two-part stint with the Astros made a very good impression, and many would welcome him back into Joe Espada's lineup.
Injuries are a fact of life in Major League Baseball, especially among pitchers. Even though he's old, Verlander is taking good care of his health and has the will to extend his career by a few more seasons. What's more, being the veteran that he is, he can be a valuable asset to any team that gives him a chance to shine in 2026.
Last season in San Francisco, he racked up a 4-11 record with a 3.85 earned run average. Even so, No. 35 struck out 137 batters in 152 innings pitched. His 29 starts represented his highest total since the 2019 season, when he started 34 games in an Astros uniform.
Yes, the Astros made an excellent signing yesterday, adding a young arm to their rotation, but it's never a bad thing to have a sixth element available and forcing the other starters to excel. It's a luxury to be able to count on six quality pitchers, because a season has its share of surprises (good and bad).
Justin Verlander is available and ready to make a comeback in Houston. He could very well be the one to provide the organization with depth and substance that will help put him back in the discussion when it comes to the playoffs.
This content was created with the help of AI.
