Justin Verlander is heading back to Detroit in 2026, and it’s a good moment to revisit the contract that changed everything for him. On March 29, 2013, the Tigers locked him up with a seven-year, $180 million extension — one of the richest deals ever handed to a pitcher at the time. It averaged $25.7 million per season and came with a full no-trade clause, giving Verlander veto power over any deal involving him.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: Detroit Tigers
- Signed: March 29, 2013
- Length: 7 years (2013–2019)
- Total guaranteed value: $180 million
- Average annual value: $25.7 million
- No-trade clause: Yes
How the Deal Is Structured
Technically, the 2013 agreement was a five-year, $140 million extension layered on top of existing commitments for 2013 and 2014. Roll it together with his prior 2010 deal and the full package stretches to 10 years and $219.5 million. The extension also included a vesting option for 2020, tied to performance and availability incentives.
Like every major-league contract, it was fully guaranteed — every dollar owed to Verlander was his regardless of injuries or on-field results.
The Fine Print: No-Trade Clause
The no-trade clause is the defining feature of this deal. In the modern era, that protection means the player has absolute authority to block any trade — no exceptions. For a pitcher of Verlander’s caliber, it was a statement as much as a safeguard.
Where Verlander Ranks All-Time
- Among pitchers: #14 all-time by total guaranteed value
- Overall in MLB history: #2 in career earnings
Rankings based on total guaranteed value, excluding deferred money. Data from Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
That overall number is the real headline. Only a handful of players who spent more years in the league or signed during even higher salary-inflation eras have earned more than Verlander across their careers.
His Full Contract History
- Detroit Tigers (2010–2014): $80M extension
- Detroit Tigers (2013–2019): $180M extension
- Houston Astros (2020–2021): $66M extension
- New York Mets (2023–2024): $86.7M as a free agent
Career Earnings
Through 2026, Verlander has taken home $411 million in MLB salaries — base pay, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses included. Add up every guaranteed dollar across all his contracts and the figure reaches $413 million. That does not include endorsements or any income outside of MLB.
Three decades of elite work on the mound, and the ledger reflects every bit of it.
