Tigers, Verlander OK huge deal

DETROIT (AP)

The Detroit Tigers have invested in their future.

Ace Justin Verlander and the Tigers finalized an $80 million, five-year contract on Thursday, a deal that avoids a salary arbitration heading.

Verlander's deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus, $6.75 million this season, $12.75 million next year and $20 million in each of the following three seasons. Verlander would have been eligible for free agency after the 2011 World Series.

The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year tied for the major league lead with 19 wins last season. He led the majors with 269 strikeouts, 240 innings and 35 starts, and had a career-best 3.45 ERA.

The sides agreed to bypass salary arbitration. When figures were exchanged last month, Verlander asked for $9.5 million for next season and the team offered $6.9 million.

Verlander ended up securing a more lucrative contract than Felix Hernandez. The Seattle Mariners gave their ace a $78 million, five-year deal. Verlander turns 27 this month and Hernandez, who is 58-41 with a 3.45 ERA, will be 24 in April.

Verlander made $3.7 million last season.

Detroit's decision to keep Verlander with a long-term deal backs up the franchise's claim that it is still committed to spending money to stay competitive.

The Tigers traded popular outfielder Curtis Granderson and All-Star pitcher Edwin Jackson for younger, cheaper players. They also let second baseman Placido Polanco along with relievers Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon leave in free agency.

Detroit did, though, instill some hope for this season when it landed closer Jose Valverde with a $14 million, two-year deal.

Even if the Tigers are done reshaping their roster, they'll be able to appease at least some fans by keeping Verlander under contract for at least five more years. With the new deal, they won't risk losing him in free agency after the 2011 season.

The hard-throwing Verlander is the only pitcher in baseball history to toss a no-hitter, start a World Series game, be a Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in his first two full seasons.

Detroit drafted Verlander with the second pick of the 2004 amateur draft and signed him just before losing his rights.

He dominated minor league competition in 2005, compiling an 11-2 record and 1.29 ERA at Class-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie, and fared well in his first full season with the Tigers.

He was 17-9 in 2006 — earning AL Rookie of the Year honors — and helped Detroit advance to the World Series for the first time since 1984. He became the first Tigers pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Jack Morris did it during the 1984 championship season.

``When you're hitting your spots at 100 (mph), to be honest, it's going to be a tough day,'' Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder said after Verlander's no-hitter. ``The guy throws 95 to 100, so you're not looking for a slider, and when he throws it that good for a strike it just kind of buckles you and you have to tip your cap.''

Verlander was 18-6 in his second season and made the All-Star team. Only Dwight Gooden, who won 41 games for the New York Mets during the 1984-85 seasons, won more games among pitchers in their first two full seasons since 1970.

After struggling two years ago with an 11-17 record, Verlander bounced back with a sensational season.

He led the majors with 269 strikeouts, 240 innings pitched and 35 starts in 2009. His 19 wins matched the top total in both leagues.

Former teammate Kenny Rogers said Verlander's wicked fastball, wildly breaking curve and knee-buckling changeup give him an assortment of pitches that reminded him only of Nolan Ryan.

``He's only going to get better and that's scary for other teams,'' Rogers has said.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Delmon Young played with Verlander in the 2005 All-Star Futures Game and knows him off the field because his brother, Dmitri, played in Detroit. They're friendly, but that doesn't mean Young enjoys facing Verlander.

``It's not fun facing him when a guy can uncork a fastball at 101 (mph) and drop a dirty split-fingered changeup, and then a hammer, a curveball, that's really tough to hit,'' Young once said. ``The guy has amazing tools. He knows how to pitch, and he's only going to get better.

``Just stay healthy, and this guy can win multiple Cy Youngs.''