Verlander Says Scherzer Deal Good For Baseball
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Nearly two years after Justin Verlander signed a seven-year, $180 million contract extension with the Detroit Tigers, his former teammate Max Scherzer landed an even more blockbuster deal - seven years for $210 million - when he signed with the Washington Nationals in free agency.
Verlander said he was wowed by the contract and that such deals show the success of baseball.
"The game is doing well," Verlander said. "Contracts are indicative of how the game is going. When you've got a premium talent like him testing the free agent market, you expect to get premium back. The TV markets, as much as these teams are getting paid, it's nice to see it reflected. I think both sides are happy, I think the game is doing well, and you see that reflected in player salaries and also what the owners are taking in."
The Tigers tried to sign Scherzer to a long-term deal after his fantastic 2013 season, but he rejected an offer of six years and $144 million. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski never closed the door on the possibility of Detroit signing Scherzer as a free agent, but he made it clear he did not believe it was likely. Indeed, Scherzer ended up in Washington.
Verlander acknowledged the loss of Scherzer hurts, but he added he believes the Tigers will still wield one of the strongest rotations in the game.
"With a player of that caliber, it's always tough," Verlander said. "I think this organization's been preparing for that since last year, and I think if anybody [does], this staff has the capability to lose a guy of that caliber and still not miss a beat. We're still going to be one of the best staffs in baseball if not the best. You've just got to perform. I know I've got to pitch better, and I will.
"You look around this room, the talent in here is - every year, it sees like Mr. Ilitch and Dave do a tremendous job of giving us a chance to win," Verlander added, "and that's the bottom line."